Article by Leora Schmidt thelivingword@mail.com

It is not clear who wrote Psalm 91. No author is identified in the psalm. However, as it comes after Psalm 90, which was attributed to Moses, many people believe Moses wrote Psalm 91.

“During World War I, the 91st Infantry Brigade of the U.S. Expeditionary Army was preparing to enter combat in Europe. Most of the men were ‘green’ soldiers who had never seen combat. Its commander, a devout Christian, called an assembly of his men where he gave each a little card on which was printed the 91st Psalm.

They agreed to recite the Soldiers’ Psalm daily. The 91st Brigade was engaged in three of the bloodiest battles of World War I… While other American units similarly engaged had up to 90% casualties, the 91st Brigade did not suffer a single combat related casualty.

The meaning of Psalm 91 Psalm 91 “is a psalm that encourages people to trust in God and find comfort in his protection, even in difficult times. The psalm’s main theme is that God will protect his people from various dangers, including war, pestilence, terror, enemies, and darkness.”

Here are some key ideas from Psalm 91…

  • God’s protection – God is a source of safety and protection for those who love and honor him. God’s protection is so strong that nothing can overcome it.
  • God’s presence – God is always with his people, even in the worst of times. God’s people can find comfort in his presence, even when the world is in chaos.
  • God’s plan – God has a plan for his people, and he is in control. God’s people can trust that he will take care of them and bring them through.
  • God’s love – God’s love is so strong that nothing can separate people from it.

Psalm 91 uses a variety of terms to describe God’s protection, including “shelter,” “refuge,” “fortress,” “shield,” and “buckler”.

Psalm 91: New International Version

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most
High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my
fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,

10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning
you to guard you in all your ways;

12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot
against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you
will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will
rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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