When the unexpected happens part 5a

BY WAY OF FURTHER INTRODUCTION ALLOW ME TO BRING YOU UP TO DATE WITH OUR MESSAGE POINTS RELATING TO ELIJAH DEALING WITH THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.

A. Protection

B. Provision

C. Presence

D. Promise

DEFINITION

The faithfulness of God means God is unchanging in his nature, true to his Word, has promised salvation to his people, and will keep his promises forever.

He is worthy of eternal trust no matter how unlikely his promises seem.

Nothing in heaven or on earth can prevent God from accomplishing all that he has promised his people through Jesus Christ.

This reliability of God should be a great source of comfort and strength for God’s people as they repeatedly fail and go through trials and suffering.

"Faithfulness" does not even appear in the New Testament of the King James version (KJV). However, the idea certainly does in the Greek.

In the listing of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, every modern translation renders the word that the KJV translates into "faith" as "faithfulness," "fidelity," or "good faith."

In his commentary on Galatians, William Barclay writes, "This word ( pistis) is common in secular Greek for trustworthiness.

It is the characteristic of the man who is reliable" (p. 51).

Spiros Zodhiates states that it means "good faith, faithfulness, sincerity"; being faithful, sincere"; and "all good fidelity" ( Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament, p. 1162).

The Hebrew word rendered "faithfulness" is emunah, which Strong's says literally means "firmness," figuratively means "security," and morally means "fidelity."

The English usage of "faithful" teaches us much that is practical.

A large number of synonyms can be related to it, which give understanding in more specific situations.

Webster's New World Dictionary defines faithful as "maintaining allegiance; constant; loyal; marked by or showing a strong sense of duty or responsibility; conscientious; accurate; reliable; exact."

The dictionary then compares "faithful" with its synonyms:

Faithful implies steadfast adherence to a person or thing to which one is bound as by an oath or obligation; loyal implies undeviating allegiance to a person, cause, institution, etc. which one feels morally bound to support or defend; constant suggests freedom from fickleness in affections or loyalties; staunch implies such a strong allegiance to one's principles or purposes as not to be turned aside by any cause; resolute stresses unwavering determination, often in adhering to one's personal ends or aims.

Other synonyms include dedicated, steadfast, devoted, dependable, accurate, true, conscientious, dutiful, careful, scrupulous, and thorough.

Faithless means "not keeping faith; dishonest; disloyal; unreliable; undependable; unbelieving." Its synonyms include doubting, treacherous, and unscrupulous.

Is God Faithful?

One of the attributes of God is His faithfulness. When we say God is faithful it means He is totally trustworthy - He is perfectly faithful. The prophet Isaiah wrote.

O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago ( Isa 25:1 ). The prophet Jeremiah wrote.

The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness ( Lamentations 3:23-24 Moses said.

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness" (Exod 34:6 ). Moses also wrote.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands (Deut 7:9 ). Paul wrote.

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one (2 Thess 3:3 )

He Is Faithful In Many Ways God's faithfulness is stated in a number of ways. They include the following.

1. He Is Totally Trustworthy In His Promises His words will always come to pass. Therefore believers may rely upon His promises.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23). The writer to the Hebrews stated.

By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised (Heb 11:11

2. God Does Not Lie About Anything Scripture says

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Num 23:19 ). Paul wrote to Titus.

A faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time (Titus 1:2 ). To the church at Rome Paul said.

Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge" (Rom 3:4 ).

3. He Is A Faithful Creator God is a faithful Creator.

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good (1 Peter 4:19 ).

4. God Is Faithful To Forgive He is faithful to forgive when we confess our sins.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 ).

5. Jesus Is A Faithful High Priest Jesus Christ is a merciful and faithful High Priest who answers the prayers of His people.

For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might turn aside God's wrath, taking away the sins of the people (Heb 2:17).

6. God Will Not Abandon His People God will not abandon His people. He kept His promises He made to the nation Israel.

For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath (Deut 4:31 ). Joshua wrote.

So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled (Josh 21:43-45 ).

Daniel said. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands" (Dan 9:4 ).

The Fulfillment Of God's Promises Are Recorded The fulfillments of God's promises are recorded in Scripture. For example, we read Joshua telling Israel.

Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed (Josh 23:14).

7. He Will Remain Faithful Though Believers May Deny Him Even if we are unfaithful to Him, He remains faithful to us.

If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself (2 Tim 2:13 ) There Is Much Comfort In This Truth

For the believer there is much comfort in knowing that God has been faithful to His promises. Since God's word is always truth the Christian can place complete trust in His promises. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it (1 Thess 5:24 ).

God Desires Faithfulness From His People God desires faithfulness for those who have trusted Him.

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. (1 Corinthians 4:2 ). Paul wrote to Timothy.

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Tim 2:2 ). In Galatians Paul declared.

So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith (Gal 3:9 ).

Isaiah 25:1 KJV 1900

O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; For thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Lamentations 3:23–24 KJV 1900

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Exodus 34:6 KJV 1900

And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Deuteronomy 7:9 KJV 1900

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV 1900

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

Hebrews 11:11 KJV 1900

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

Numbers 23:19 KJV 1900

God is not a man, that he should lie; Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Titus 1:2 KJV 1900

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Romans 3:4 KJV 1900

God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

1 Peter 4:19 KJV 1900

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

1 John 1:9 KJV 1900

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 2:17 KJV 1900

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Deuteronomy 4:31 KJV 1900

(For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Joshua 21:43–45 KJV 1900

And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

Daniel 9:4 KJV 1900

And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

Joshua 23:14 KJV 1900

And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

2 Timothy 2:13 KJV 1900

If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 KJV 1900

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV 1900

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

2 Timothy 2:2 KJV 1900

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Galatians 3:9 KJV 1900

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Summary We find the Bible emphasizing the faithfulness of the Lord. Scripture lists a number of different ways in which God has shown his faithfulness.

First, he is totally trustworthy in everything that he says.

He is faithful to his word - he does not lie.

The Lord is the faithful Creator.

He is faithful to forgive those who sin against him.

Jesus Christ is called the faithful High Priest.

God's faithfulness is demonstrated in the fact that he will not abandon his people.

Finally, he will remain faithful to those who deny him.

Because he is faithful, God desires faithfulness from his people.

Below are 5 ways that God will remain faithful in your life even when life doesn’t feel fair:

1. God is faithful in providing for you

Phil 4:19 ). When you may feel that life is unfair, be reminded that God is a provider.

Philippians 4:19 (KJV 1900)

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Your needs are being met.

You may not have everything you want, but you have everything you need.

Trusting God to provide your needs when you don’t see a way develops a stronger dependence on God, and spiritual maturity.

I invite you to pray to God for wisdom and surrender your anxieties to Him.

Surrendering is a process that acknowledges God’s sovereignty and control.

There are seasons in life where you may ask yourself,

“How will I make it?”

“How will I survive?”

You may feel stretched financially, emotionally, or spiritually.

God will take care of you because He takes care of His children.

There have been times when I wasn’t sure how I was going to pay all my bills, but God provided resources and made a way.

God’s provisions are not limited to material possessions, but God will provide you with peace of mind, courage, renewal, direction, rest, and hope. 

One of the biggest lessons I learned was to depend on God more by praying, casting my cares on Him, and surrendering.

I could not be self-dependent, but more God-dependent.

2. God is faithful to uplift and encouerage you

“...being confident of this, that he that began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:6).

Philippians 1:6 (KJV 1900)

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

When you are burdened with the cares of life, God will uplift and encourage you.

When you feel like giving up or need an extra boost, seek God’s word for restoration.

Are you feeling overwhelmed?

Phil 4: 13 reminds you that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

Philippians 4:13 (KJV 1900)

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

If you feel rejected or abandoned, God’s word says, I will never leave you or forsake you (Deut . 31:6).

Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV 1900)

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

When you feel you are searching for purpose,

Jeremiah 29:11 affirms that God’s plans for you are to prosper you and not to harm you.

Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV 1900)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

All these scriptures reiterate that God cares deeply for you.

They are there to encourage you, and be the source of your strength.

As a new mom, there are days when I feel like there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done.

I am balancing caring for my daughter, working, and serving in ministry.

In moments where I feel overwhelmed, God’s word encourages me and uplifts me reminding me that I have everything I need.

Each new day is another opportunity to start again to place my trust in God and focus on surrendering my circumstances.

When you are in need of encouragement, don’t give up, and know that you are not alone.

3. God is faithful in comforting you

(Matt 5:4 ). We all have mourned something:

Matthew 5:4 (KJV 1900)

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

the death of a loved one,

loss of a job,

friendship,

relationship or identity.

In times of loss or mourning, it is natural to become distant, discouraged or disenchanted with God.

While your human emotions can consume you in seasons of loss, God’s faithfulness will carry you through.

God will comfort your spirit, and you can overcome with Christ as your focus.

God’s comfort can restore and revive your broken spirit.

God will also comfort you beyond human understanding.

The comfort that God offers helps us through adversity.

It allows us to continue to move forward.

Finally, it provides reassurance and rest for our weary souls.

4. God is faithful in strengthening you

“But he said to me, (2 Corinthians 12:9).

2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV 1900)

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

At times, life has a way of weighing you down and knocking the wind out of your sails.

We all have experienced seasons where we are depleted within our own strength and feel weak.

God’s power is made strong when we are in our weakness.

God will strengthen you for your specific assignment and the journey ahead.

When you are weary, God will provide you rest.

You must first acknowledge that you need to depend on God more.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul speaks to the church at Corinth reminding them that God’s grace and power is available to strengthen them during their seasons of weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV 1900)

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

This verse reaffirms the reality that you don’t have to be ashamed of your weaknesses because God’s grace will cover and strengthen you.

Being vulnerable is contrary to society that teaches that you always have to be strong.

I invite you to take a risk and be vulnerable today.

During trying times or feelings of inadequacy, it is a great opportunity for you to share the good news of how God strengthened and kept you.

5. God is faithful in sending community of support

(Heb 10:25 ).

Hebrews 10:25 (KJV 1900)

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

When you feel like no one understands and you are alone, God will provide a community of support for you.

Your community may be a friend’s listening ear, a small group, or a family member. God uses and speaks through different groups of people to encourage, uplift, and remind you that you are not alone.

Being in a community taught me the importance of being transparent and vulnerable.

However, God is our ultimate source of support and wisdom.

We should seek God’s word daily for wisdom and direction when we feel lost, confused, or isolated.

Support from people shouldn’t replace the ultimate support from God.

God is faithful when we are not and when life isn’t fair.

When you want to throw in the towel or are feeling overwhelmed, be assured that God will provide, uplift, comfort, strengthen, and support you.

Your immediate circumstances may not change, but be confident that God will provide you with all that you need to persevere.

Be grateful that God is faithful.

6. Faithfulness of God seen in the Psalms as Trusting in God's Protection (Psalms 61, 91, 121)

Psalm 61 (KJV 1900)

To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.

Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For thou hast been a shelter for me, And a strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: And his years as many generations.

He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.

So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, That I may daily perform my vows.

Psalm 91 (KJV 1900)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, And under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold And see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, Even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, And shew him my salvation.

Psalm 121 (KJV 1900)

A Song of degrees.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore.

God is our Rock and Fortress.

Rock formation from Garden of the Gods Park, Colorado Springs, CO.

When trouble is all around we can either panic or find strength in faith.

In these psalms the writer sees God as his ultimate Protector.

In this lesson we'll be focusing on the portions of several psalms that describe a person seeking the protection of God.

These are generally categorized in the genre of psalms of confidence.

Psalm 61 - Lead Me to the Rock that Is Higher than I

Psalm 61 (KJV 1900)

To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.

Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For thou hast been a shelter for me, And a strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: And his years as many generations.

He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.

So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, That I may daily perform my vows.

Our first psalm of protection endears itself to us because we can so easily identify with the sense of vulnerability of the author in the first couple of verses.

Psalm 61 is meant to be sung and accompanied:

"For the director of music.

With stringed instruments. Of David."

Since the psalm is attributed to David, the first four verses would seem to come from his hand.

Verses 5-8 speak of the king in the third person, so they may have been added in subsequent generations as a prayer for the king.

We're not sure.

Hear My Faint Cry, O God (Ps 61:1-2 )

Psalm 61:1–2 (KJV 1900)

Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

I love this brief psalm, that begins:

The first couplet (or pair of parallel lines) has the psalmist asking God to listen to him.

1 The second couplet seem to emphasize the distance he feels from God at the moment -- "from the ends of the earth."

He is at an extremity: "I call as my heart grows faint" (NIV) or is "overwhelmed" (KJV). The verb is `āṭap, "be feeble, faint, grow weak."

The word can pertain to physical exhaustion or the languishing of a man's innermost being.

2 Even though he has almost given up, he calls.

The Rock that is Higher than I (Ps 61:2)

Psalm 61:2c (KJV 1900)

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

His prayer inspires me every time I read it:

The image is of a man seeking refuge from his enemy by hiding in the towering rocks of a mountain.

He has found a place of concealment but realizes the vulnerability of his position.

And so he asks a person to lead him to a rocky prominence that is yet higher up and more difficult to attack than his current position.

And so the person leads him up the hidden trail to the higher rock.

But the Rock in this psalm is God himself, who is often referred to as "the Rock" in the Bible.

The word here is ṣûr, "massive rock," used for boulders or formations of stone, and for the material which composes mountains.

The caves of the rocks are places where David and his men sought safety when they were being hunted by King Saul and his armies.3

My Refuge and Strong Tower Against the Foe (Ps 61:3)

Psalm 61:3 (KJV 1900)

For thou hast been a shelter for me, And a strong tower from the enemy.

The next images are military in nature:

Two words in this couplet describe the defensive protection that God offers:

"Refuge" (NIV, NRSV), "shelter" (KJV) is maḥseh, "place of refuge, shelter," from the verb ḥāsā, "to seek refuge, flee for protection."4

"Strong tower," is a tall building on the city wall or in a walled city that could be defended against even a determined enemy, due to its height and strength of construction.5

This image of God as a place of refuge is common, especially in the Psalms.

He is a safe place, a place to which one can retreat when all hell is breaking loose.

He is a sure bastion against any foe. God is our source of protection.

The Shelter of Your Wings (Ps 61:4)

Psalm 61:4 (KJV 1900)

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

The final images in this psalm of protection are more gentle, more intimate places of solace:

"Your tent" refers to God's dwelling place. Initially it referred to the "tent of meeting" or the "tabernacle" in the wilderness, later the temple in Jerusalem.

In the Psalms to "dwell in the house of the Lord" is an idiom that describes a closeness to and intimacy with God (Psalm 15:1; 23:6; 27:4; 90:1; 92:13).

Psalm 15:1 (KJV 1900)

Lord, Who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

Psalm 23:6 (KJV 1900)

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 27:4 (KJV 1900)

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

Psalm 90:1 (KJV 1900)

Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

Psalm 92:13 (KJV 1900)

Those that be planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God.

"The shelter of your wings" calls on the image of a mother bird sheltering and protecting her young with her wings (Psalm 17:8; 57:1; 63:7; 91:4; Ruth 2:12).

Psalm 17:8 (KJV 1900)

Keep me as the apple of the eye, Hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

Psalm 57:1 (KJV 1900)

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: For my soul trusteth in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, Until these calamities be overpast.

Psalm 63:7 (KJV 1900)

Because thou hast been my help, Therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Psalm 91:4 (KJV 1900)

He shall cover thee with his feathers, And under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Ruth 2:12 (KJV 1900)

The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

Jesus used this image as he prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem:

(Matthew 23:37)

Matthew 23:37 (KJV 1900)

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

look at Psalm 63, where we find this poignant verse:

Psalm 63 (KJV 1900)

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, My flesh longeth for thee In a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

To see thy power and thy glory, So as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise thee.

Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

When I remember thee upon my bed, And meditate on thee in the night watches.

Because thou hast been my help, Therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

My soul followeth hard after thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me.

But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

They shall fall by the sword: They shall be a portion for foxes.

But the king shall rejoice in God; Every one that sweareth by him shall glory: But the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

(Psalm 63:7)

Psalm 63:7 (KJV 1900)

Because thou hast been my help, Therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

We'll see yet another reference to the protection of God's wings in Psalm 91 below.

Psalm 91 (KJV 1900)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, And under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold And see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, Even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, And shew him my salvation.

Does God have literal wings? Of course not.

God the Father is a spirit without a physical body (John 4:24).

John 4:24 (KJV 1900)

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

But the imagery of his wings helps us to understand the intimacy of his protection.

After "Selah" (which may signify some kind of pause), the psalm turns from God as a refuge and concludes with a prayer for the king:

(Ps 61:5-8)

Psalm 61:5–8 (KJV 1900)

For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: And his years as many generations.

He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.

So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, That I may daily perform my vows.

Q1. (Psalm 61:1-4) What images does the psalmist evoke to communicate his trust in God's protection? How do the first four verses of this psalm make you feel?

Psalm 61:1–4 (KJV 1900)

Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For thou hast been a shelter for me, And a strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

Psalm 91 - Dwelling in the Shelter of the Most High

Psalm 91 (KJV 1900)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, And under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold And see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, Even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, And shew him my salvation.

Psalm 91 is a wonderful psalm that has been a comfort and source of faith to many who have faced physical danger.

It has the distinction of being misquoted by Satan to tempt Jesus (Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:10-11) and referred to by Jesus to strengthen his disciples in spiritual warfare (Luke 10:19).

Matthew 4:6 (KJV 1900)

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Luke 4:10–11 (KJV 1900)

For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:

And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Luke 10:19 (KJV 1900)

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

The Mighty Names of God (Ps 91:1-2)

Psalm 91:1–2 (KJV 1900)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.

Psalm 91:1–2 (KJV 1900)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.

Notice how this psalm begins: by invoking four of the most common strong names of God:

The Most High (`elyôn), the name by which he was known by Abraham and the patriarchs.

The Exalted God, the God higher than every false god.

The Almighty (shadday), the God of Might, the ruler of all.

The LORD or Yahweh, is the name by which God revealed himself to Moses, the great I Am, the eternally existent God.

My God (´ĕlōhīm), the Strong One, using the plural of majesty.

We must never forget Who is with us: God in all his might and power!

Metaphors of Protection

Observe how the psalm uses a number of protection metaphors for God, some of which we've explored above:

(Psalms 91:1-2)

Psalm 91:1–2 (KJV 1900)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.

(Psalms 91:4)

Psalm 91:4 (KJV 1900)

He shall cover thee with his feathers, And under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

( Psalms 91:9)

Psalm 91:9 (KJV 1900)

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, Even the most High, thy habitation;

Consider the words and what they convey:

"Shelter, secret place" (1a, sēter) is a "hiding place," from sātar, "hide, conceal," which includes the thought of protection.8 Most notably, the noun is used in Psalm 32:7 of God, "You are my hiding place."

Psalm 32:7 (KJV 1900)

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

"Shadow" (1b, (ṣel) refers to "shadow," which, in an arid, sun-baked land, conveys the positive ideas of shade, protection, and defense.9 Elsewhere we see references to "the shadow of his wings" (Psalm 17:8; 36:7).

Psalm 17:8 (KJV 1900)

Keep me as the apple of the eye, Hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

Psalm 36:7 (KJV 1900)

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

"Refuge" (2a, maḥseh) denotes "refuge, shelter,"10 which we saw above in 61:3.

"Fortress" (2b, meṣûdâ) refers to a "fastness, stronghold," related to the word for Masada, the fortress-palace plateau of Herod near the Dead Sea.

"Feathers" and "wings" (4a,b), of course carry on the protection analogy of the mother bird, which we explored above in Ps 61:4.

Psalm 61:4 (KJV 1900)

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

"Shield" (4c, ṣinnâ) refers here to a "large shield (covering the whole body)."12 A shield is used as a metaphor of God's protection a number of times in Scripture (for example, Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalm 3:3; 115:9-11).

Genesis 15:1 (KJV 1900)

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Deuteronomy 33:29 (KJV 1900)

Happy art thou, O Israel: Who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, The shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! And thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; And thou shalt tread upon their high places.

Psalm 3:3 (KJV 1900)

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; My glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Psalm 115:9–11 (KJV 1900)

O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: He is their help and their shield.

O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: He is their help and their shield.

Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: He is their help and their shield.

"Buckler" or "rampart" (4c, sōḥērâ) is difficult to translate with certainty.

It could mean some kind of surrounding wall, but because of the parallelism in this verse is usually understood as the small shield used in closest combat or some type of armor ... and is clearly related to the verbal root, sāḥar, 'go around, turn about/away.'"

"Refuge" (9a, maḥseh) is a "place of refuge, shelter," which we saw in Psalm 61:3 above.

Psalm 61:3 (KJV 1900)

For thou hast been a shelter for me, And a strong tower from the enemy.

"Dwelling place, habitation" (9b, mā`ōn) refers to a "place of habitation, dwelling," from `ûn, "to dwell."

What a wonderful picture of God is fleshed out by the imagery in this psalm!

The Fowler's Snare (Ps 91:3)

Psalm 91:3 (KJV 1900)

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the noisome pestilence.

In Psalm 91 the author enumerates the various dangers that one can experience and assures the reader that God is able to save from all of these: (Ps 91:3)

Psalm 91:3 (KJV 1900)

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the noisome pestilence.

A fowler, of course, was a person who hunted fowl, birds, either for amusement or to supply birds for food, pets, or sacrifice.

Birds were caught by many means -- net, trap, decoy birds, bird lime -- a sticky substance that would stop birds from flying away, throw stick, and the bow and sling.

Here the psalmist refers to a bird trap (paḥ) that would catch the bird unawares.

It is used figuratively for the plots of the wicked to try to entrap and bring down their enemies.

"Noisome" (KJV) has nothing to do with noise, but is an archaic word meaning "noxious, harmful," or as the NIV and NRSV render it, "deadly."

"Pestilence" is deber, "pestilence, murrain, and plague," perhaps bubonic plague, any kind of pestilence which results in death.

The promise here is that God's protection can extend both to the plots of evil men and the diseases that ravage mankind.

The Terror of Night (Ps 91:5-6)

Now the psalmist continues to spell out the kinds of places where God's protection can extend:

(Ps 91:5-6)

Psalm 91:5–6 (KJV 1900)

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

"Plague" (NIV) or "destruction" (KJV, NRSV) is qeṭeb, "destruction" or perhaps "sting," as the name of a disease, perhaps measles.

God can protect us from the terrors of both night and day, while we sleep and when we are awake.

It Will Not Come Near You (Ps 91:7-8)

Psalm 91:7–8 (KJV 1900)

A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold And see the reward of the wicked.

And now an astounding promise that God will protect us, even though others around us are stricken:

(Ps 91:7-8

Psalm 91:7–8 (KJV 1900)

A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold And see the reward of the wicked.

Dwelling with the Most High (Ps 91:9-10)

Psalm 91:9–10 (KJV 1900)

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, Even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

What does it mean to "make the Most High your dwelling"?

It means to consciously adhere to him in faith continually.

Many people speak God's name in times of danger.

But the psalmist here is speaking of those who "abide" with God, who trust him continually, who constantly look to him.

Angels Protecting Us (Ps 91:11-12)

Psalm 91:11–12 (KJV 1900)

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Now the psalmist speaks of the agents of this protection -- angels, messengers:

Though Satan used this verse to try to tempt Jesus to do a spectacular miracle outside of God's will (Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:10, 11), that doesn't detract from the truth in Scripture that angels are sent to protect and care for us humans (Genesis 19; Matthew 18:10; 26:53; Hebrews 1:14; etc.).

Matthew 4:6 (KJV 1900)

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Luke 4:10 (KJV 1900)

For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:

Luke 4:11 (KJV 1900)

And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Genesis 19 (KJV 1900)

And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,

And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.

Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.

And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:

For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.

And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:

Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:

Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.

And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.

Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.

Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;

And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord:

And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.

And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.

And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:

Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.

And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day.

And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Ben-ammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.

Matthew 18:10 (KJV 1900)

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 26:53 (KJV 1900)

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

Hebrews 1:14 (KJV 1900)

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

You have probably experienced miraculous protection from accidents that could have killed you.

I have no doubt that angels are often at work to protect us.

Power Over Evil Forces (Ps 91:13)

Psalm 91:13 (KJV 1900)

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Now the psalm down-shifts to a new level of power.

Previously, the psalmist spoke of God's protection for his people -- defensive. Now he speaks of his people's power and ability to destroy the forces arrayed against them -- offensive.

Verse 13 promises God's protection over deadly creatures -- the large, powerful lion and the small but venomous serpent.

Above: Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje). Below: Saharan Horned Viper (Cerastes cerastes).

"Cobra" (NIV) or "adder" (NRSV, KJV) is peten, which designates a venomous serpent, perhaps a hooded Egyptian Cobra or asp (Naja haje) or horned viper (Cerastes cerastes).

"Serpent" (NIV, NRSV) or "dragon" (KJV) is tannîn, "dragon, sea monster, serpent, whale," here used in the generic sense of "any large reptile."

The Egyptian Cobra's venom is extremely toxic and can induce quick and painless death, probably used by Cleopatra to commit suicide.

The horned viper's venom is much less toxic.

Serpents, of course, have been identified as symbolic of Satan from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1) to the Book of Revelation (Revelation 12:9).

Genesis 3:1 (KJV 1900)

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Revelation 12:9 (KJV 1900)

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Jesus refers to this passage when he seeks to clarify the disciples' power when they come back exuberant from a mission having cast out demons:

(Luke 10:19)

Luke 10:19 (KJV 1900)

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

In Jesus' name we have power greater than that of our powerful enemy.

In Jesus we have the power to push him back, to resist him, to wage war against him.

Hallelujah! The last phrase, rendered as "Nothing will harm you," is a double negative in Greek, emphasizing and reinforcing its truth.

Because He Loves Me I Will Rescue Him (Ps 91:14-16)

Psalm 91:14–16 (KJV 1900)

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, And shew him my salvation.

In verses 14 to 16 the psalmist speaks as God's spokesman about the reasons for his protection and the qualities of the person he protects:

First, the qualities of the person the Lord watches out for:

A.Loves God (ḥāshaq), "to be attached to, to love, to cling to."

The root emphasizes that which attaches to something or someone.

In the case of emotions it is that love which is already bound to its object.

B.Knows God's name. Yāda`, "to know," refers here to intimate knowledge, personal relationship.

"Name" (shēm) means more than merely a way to designate a person.

In Hebrew thought the name often included ideas of existence, character and reputation.

It embraces the idea of how God reveals himself.

Thus the idiom "to know the name" means to know God, to have a close relationship with him.

C.Calls upon God. "He will call upon me," expresses the bond between the Helper and the helped, rooted in a trust in God's infinite grace, God's unmerited favor.

This quality is of one reliance, of trust, of faith.

These verses also spell out God's eight forthright promises to his people:

I will rescue him (14a)I will protect him (14b)I will answer him (15a)I will be with him in trouble (15b)I will deliver him (15c)I will honor him (15c)I satisfy him with long life (16a)I will show him my salvation (16b)

Meditate on that, dear friends, when you are overtaken by fear!

(For group use, consider Readers Theater for Psalms 91 , a reading for 4 voices)

Q2. (Psalm 91) What does this psalm teach us about God's protection when in danger?

Psalm 91 (KJV 1900)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, And under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold And see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, Even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, And shew him my salvation.

What does it teach about our authority to vanquish our enemies?

What promises does Psalm 91 contain?

Psalm 91 (KJV 1900)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, And under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold And see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, Even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, And shew him my salvation.

Psalms 56 - 57

Psalm 56–57 (KJV 1900)

To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-recho-kim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.

Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; He fighting daily oppresseth me.

Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: For they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

In God I will praise his word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear What flesh can do unto me.

Every day they wrest my words: All their thoughts are against me for evil.

They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps, When they wait for my soul.

Shall they escape by iniquity? In thine anger cast down the people, O God.

Thou tellest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle: Are they not in thy book?

When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: This I know; for God is for me.

In God will I praise his word: In the Lord will I praise his word.

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid What man can do unto me.

Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, That I may walk before God in the light of the living?

To the chief Musician, Al-taschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: For my soul trusteth in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, Until these calamities be overpast.

I will cry unto God most high; Unto God that performeth all things for me.

He shall send from heaven, and save me From the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

My soul is among lions: And I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let thy glory be above all the earth.

They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down: They have digged a pit before me, Into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.

For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, And thy truth unto the clouds.

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: Let thy glory be above all the earth.

There are many, many psalms that talk about protection that we must skip over because of time, such as:

(Psalm 56:3-4)

Psalm 56:3–4 (KJV 1900)

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

In God I will praise his word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear What flesh can do unto me.

and

(Psalm 57:1)

Psalm 57:1 (KJV 1900)

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: For my soul trusteth in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, Until these calamities be overpast.

... and a dozen more.

The last Psalm of Protection.

Psalm 121 - I Will Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills

Psalm 121 (KJV 1900)

A Song of degrees.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore.

Our final psalm of protection is a brief one, but beloved because it expresses the faith of the believer.

It is titled as "a song of ascents," a psalm that was sung as pilgrims approached Jerusalem on the high feast days of Passover, Pentecost, and others.

The author is not disclosed to us.

I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills (Ps 121:1-2)

Psalm 121:1–2 (KJV 1900)

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth.

The psalm begins with a mention of hills and mountains.

For most Israelites on a pilgrimage to the Holy City, their journey concluded with climbing up the rugged hills where Jerusalem sits at 2,460 feet above sea level.

For those passing through Jericho it was an ascent of 3,300 feet, since Jericho in the plain of the Jordan is at 850 feet below sea level in the Great Rift Valley.

Jerusalem's location is celebrated in Psalm 48:2 as "beautiful for situation" (KJV), "beautiful in elevation" (NRSV), "beautiful in its loftiness" (NIV), "towering in beauty" (NJB).

Psalm 48:2 (KJV 1900)

Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, On the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

But the journey could be fraught with danger from bandits such as those who attacked the man in Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).

These brigands would hide in the Judean hills and, when they found a person or small group traveling, would swoop down and rob them of everything they had.

Thus pilgrims usually traveled to Jerusalem together in large groups for protection.

Luke 10:30–37 (KJV 1900)

And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

(Ps 121:1-2)

Psalm 121:1–2 (KJV 1900)

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth.

Scholars have argued about the meaning of the hills. They could refer to:

A source of danger from highwaymen (as outlined in the paragraph above, which makes most sense to me),A place to take refuge, like David did from Saul (Psalm 11:1),

Psalm 11:1 (KJV 1900)

In the Lord put I my trust: How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

Suggestive of high places where false gods were worshipped (Jeremiah 3:23),

Jeremiah 3:23 (KJV 1900)

Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.

or A reminder to pilgrims of Yahweh who was their mighty Rock.27

Whatever the meaning of the hills in verse 1, the psalmist very clearly sees the source of his help:

(Ps 121:2)

Psalm 121:2 (KJV 1900)

My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth.

"Help" is `ēzer, "help, support, helper," from the verb `āzar, "help, support."

Many times it refers to military assistance. In the Psalms it usually refers to divine aid, both material and spiritual.28 In a number of places Helper is used as a title or descriptor of God (Psalm 10:14; 22:19; 40:17; 54:4; 118:6-7 quoted in Hebrews 13:6).

Psalm 10:14 (KJV 1900)

Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, To requite it with thy hand: The poor committeth himself unto thee; Thou art the helper of the fatherless.

Psalm 22:19 (KJV 1900)

But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

Psalm 40:17 (KJV 1900)

But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: Thou art my help and my deliverer; Make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalm 54:4 (KJV 1900)

Behold, God is mine helper: The Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

Psalm 118:6–7 (KJV 1900)

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me?

The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: Therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

Hebrews 13:6 (KJV 1900)

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

In contrast to the towering hills where one can feel very small, the pilgrim proclaims that his Helper is the one who created these very mountains, "the Maker (`āśā) of heaven and earth," invoking another title of God (also Psalm 115:15; 134:3; 146:6; 149:2; Isaiah 27:11, 54:5, etc.).

Psalm 115:15 (KJV 1900)

Ye are blessed of the Lord Which made heaven and earth.

Psalm 134:3 (KJV 1900)

The Lord that made heaven and earth Bless thee out of Zion.

Psalm 146:6 (KJV 1900)

Which made heaven, and earth, The sea, and all that therein is: Which keepeth truth for ever:

Psalm 149:2 (KJV 1900)

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Isaiah 27:11 (KJV 1900)

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: The women come, and set them on fire: For it is a people of no understanding: Therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, And he that formed them will shew them no favour.

Isaiah 54:5 (KJV 1900)

For thy Maker is thine husband; The Lord of hosts is his name; And thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

The Lord Who Watches Over You (Ps 121:3-8)

Psalm 121:3–8 (KJV 1900)

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore.

Now the psalmist begins to expand on the ways the Lord protects his people. Notice how the keywords "watch," "keep," "preserve," continue to pop up through the rest of the psalm:

(Psalm 121:1-8)

Psalm 121:1–8 (KJV 1900)

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore.

The word variously translated "watch," "keep," or "preserve" is shāmar, "keep, guard, observe, give heed."

The basic root means "to exercise great care over," with the connotation of carefulness, faithfulness, diligence.

The word can be used in tending a garden, a flock, or a house, guarding against intruders, of gatekeepers or watchmen.

We'll see it again when we discuss psalms that talk about God as our Shepherd.

Here the word carries the idea of "to guard, take care of."

God's protection involves his own careful guarding of us from danger.

God is like a watchful Mom always keeping tabs on her toddler to keep him from any kind of danger that might approach.

Mom is there to defend her pup against any alarm, rescue him from any tumble, and stand in the way of any possible threat to her child.

We could be tempted to rebel at God acting like a "mother hen."

Or we could relax and realize that it is out of love that he is caring for us.

Notice the details of his protection:

Protection from falling.

"He will not let your foot slip" (verse Ps 121: 3a)

Psalm 121:3a (KJV 1900)

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Protection 24/7.

"He who watches over you will not slumber" (verses Ps 121: 3b-4)Protection from the sun and moon.

Psalm 121:3b–4 (KJV 1900)

Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

"The LORD is your shade at your right hand" (verses Ps 121: 5-6)Protection of an all-hazard policy.

Psalm 121:5–6 (KJV 1900)

The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.

"The LORD will keep you from all harm" (verse Ps 121: 7)

Psalm 121:7 (KJV 1900)

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.

The psalm concludes with an all-inclusive statement of God's watch-care over you.

All harm Your life Your coming and going Now and forever.

His watchfulness is rooted in his great love that encompasses us. Elisha Hoffman and Anthony Showalter summed it up well in this memorable chorus:

"Leaning, leaning Safe and secure from all alarms. Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms."

Q3. (Psalm 121). What reassurance is it to you that God keeps you and watches over you?

Psalm 121 (KJV 1900)

A Song of degrees.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore.

How does Psalm 121 make you feel?

Psalm 121 (KJV 1900)

A Song of degrees.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore.

Will God Really Protect Us?

How can this be?

we wonder.

Surely, godly believers have died in dangerous situations.

Does God really protect us?

This very question, of course, probably results from sad negative experiences mixed with unbelief.

The promises in these protection psalms are for people who will actually put their trust in God and his word.

The promises are activated by faith.

Let me remind you of two passages from Hebrews:

"We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." (Hebrews 6:12)

Hebrews 6:12 (KJV 1900)

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

"I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies." (Hebrews 11:32b-34)

Hebrews 11:32b–34 (KJV 1900)

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

The Bible is full of people who by faith experienced God's supernatural protection.

Today's world, as well, is full of believers who have seen the fulfillment of these promises first hand.

God is not impotent, but our unbelief can make us impotent, preventing us from seeing these things (Matthew 13:58; Mark 6:5).

Matthew 13:58 (KJV 1900)

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

Mark 6:5 (KJV 1900)

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

But consider:

Christians don't seem to be immune to death in accidents, war, persecution, etc.

How do we understand this in light of Psalm 91?

Psalm 91 (KJV 1900)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, And under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold And see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, Even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, And shew him my salvation.

Did all those who succumb to enemies just lack enough faith?

Some did, of course, but surely not all.

Two passages of Scripture may shed some light on this.

# The first is from the Apostle Paul:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Romans 8:28 (KJV 1900)

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

but this truth does not exclude verse 35:

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" (Romans 8:35)

Romans 8:35 (KJV 1900)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

# The second passage is Jesus' teaching about the end times:

"You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life." (Luke 21:16-19)

Luke 21:16–19 (KJV 1900)

And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

In your patience possess ye your souls.

People without faith look only at what happens in this life.

And God is quite able to protect us in this life! But people of faith look beyond this life to the next.

In the ultimate sense -- and that is what is important to us Christians -- our enemies cannot harm even one hair on our head.

They can kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul (Matthew 10:28).

Matthew 10:28 (KJV 1900)

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

And God will have the very last word on Judgment Day.

In Revelation, the martyrs in heaven cry out:

"How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (Revelation 6:10)

Revelation 6:10 (KJV 1900)

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

The answer is not quite yet, but soon.

When Jesus comes in his kingdom there will be singing and shouting and the fulfillment of all the promises of the Bible on that Day.

Even so Come, Lord Jesus!

So if you are in danger, by all means come to Psalm 91 for strength and encouragement.

Psalm 91 (KJV 1900)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, And under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold And see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, Even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, And shew him my salvation.

God is our Great Protector and we have been given mighty power to overcome our enemies.

May you be one of those saints who through faith, "shut the mouths of lions, quench the fury of the flames, and escape the edge of the sword" (Hebrews 11:34 ).

Hebrews 11:34 (KJV 1900)

Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Just realize that the final chapter of your life and mine is not written in the here and now, but on that Day it will all be revealed in victory and glory.

God has us all in his hands.

Q4. Since Christians don't seem immune to accident, persecution, and death, how are we to understand these psalms of protection?

Why don't some believers seem to be protected?

Does God really protect us? How?

Exercise. For one of the psalms in this lesson -- or another psalm with a similar theme -- do one of the suggested exercises to help you experience the Psalms

These include such things as praying a psalm, meditating, reading to a shut-in, paraphrasing, writing your own psalm, singing, preparing a liturgy, and memorizing.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the knowledge of your intimate watch-care over us.

Strengthen our faith, we pray.

When we are afraid, help us to trust in you.

Protect us from our human enemies and the enemy of our souls.

And bring us intact, we pray, into your eternal Kingdom.

In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Songs

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," words and music, Martin Luther (1529). Verse 1: Our Helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing...."

"A Shelter in the Time of Storm," words: Vernon J. Charlesworth (1880), music by Ira D. Sankey (1885)"

Dwelling Place," words and music by Walt Harrah (© 1986, Maranatha! Music). Psalm 91:1.

Psalm 91:1 (KJV 1900)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

"He Hideth My Soul in the Cleft of the Rock," words by Fanny Crosby (1890), music by William J. Kirkpatrick

"Hear My Cry, O Lord, Listen to My Prayer," Psalm 61, unknown composer.

Psalm 61 (KJV 1900)

To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.

Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For thou hast been a shelter for me, And a strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: And his years as many generations.

He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.

So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, That I may daily perform my vows.

"I Lift My Eyes Up," words and music by Brian Doerksen (© 1990 Vineyard Songs Canada, Admin. by Music Services). Psalm 121.

Psalm 121 (KJV 1900)

A Song of degrees.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore.

"I Will Lift Up My Eyes," words and music by Dale Garratt (© 1970, Scripture in Song). Psalm 121.

Psalm 121 (KJV 1900)

A Song of degrees.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, Which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper: The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth, and even for evermore.

"In the Secret of His Presence," words: Ellen L. Goreh (1883), music: George C. Stebbins (1883)

"Lead Me to the Rock," words and music by Lynn DeShazo (© 1989, Integrity's Hosanna! Music). Psalm 61:2

Psalm 61:2 (KJV 1900)

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

"Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," words (1887) by Elisha A. Hoffman, music and refrain by Anthony J. Showalter (1858-1924).

"On Eagle's Wings," words and music by Michael Joncas (© 1979, 1991, New Dawn Music), in the Chalice Hymnal (1995), #77.

"Praise the Name of Jesus," ("He's my Rock, He's my Fortress...."), words and music by Roy Hicks, Jr. (©1976 Latter Rain Music, Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

"Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me," words by Augustus Toplady (1776), music by Thomas Hastings (1830)

"The Rock that Is Higher than I," words by Erastus Johnson (1871), music by William G. Fischer (1871). Psalm 61:2.

Psalm 61:2 (KJV 1900)

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

"You Are My Hiding Place," words and music by Michael Ledner (© 1981 Maranatha! Music, Admin. by The Copyright Company). Psalm 32:7

Psalm 32:7 (KJV 1900)

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.