Is Psalm 91 A Protection Against COVID 19?
Psalm 91 ...
Psalm 91 is the most beautiful and comforting poetic song of all time. It has been a source of great strength, hope, and peace to millions of believers throughout the centuries! It gives us a feeling of lasting comfort and security in a chaotic world. When we pray the words of this psalm, it becomes a powerful shield of protection from fear. It calms our mind and soothes our soul! It is a solace for tired hearts, strength, and comfort in pandemonium times.
What is this musical poetic Psalm 91 all about?
This Psalm is all about God’s promises of protection on every topic relevant to these dangerous times – terror, war, destruction, and of course pestilence and plague which is, what we are in the midst of at this moment. God’s comfort is a wing of security amidst this world’s uncertainties and suffering.
Psalm 91's role in COVID19 pandemic ?
In the wake of the dangerous COVID 19, it is being preached that psalm 91 is a lucky charm or a magic formula that keeps one safe from the plague. That is not true. It is a prayer against fear. It is a prayer for strength, and security.
It is knowing that God is beside us for courage and strength under all circumstances. Psalm 91 is not a promise that those who trust God will never die of any disease. Rather, the believer must keep in mind, that deliverance and healing has to be the Will of God.
Then how do we understand the Psalm?
Firstly, we have to understand that the Psalm was written in the Old Testament days. The way God guided the believers in the Old Testament is different from the way He guides us now. In Deuteronomy 28, God promises physical blessings and military victory to those who are obedient, and kept His covenant. It was not so to those, who displeased Him and were disobedient. They were punished.
However, when Jesus was rejected by the Jews as the Messiah, God began to work with His people on earth spiritually, blessing them with spiritual blessings. Physical problems such as poverty or sickness or persecution do not indicate God’s displeasure. Jesus Himself died at an early age of 33. So, it is clear that God does not invariably promise old age to all those who please Him.
Psalm 91 should never be interpreted as a promise of physical protection for all times under whatever circumstances.
Who is the author of Psalm 91?
The author of this Psalm is unknown as there is no title in the Psalm. Some believe that Moses is the author as it is similar to psalm 90. The imagery in this psalm is very much like what happened during the plagues in Egypt through the Passover and how God protected His people as they journeyed to the Promised Land. Others think that David is the author because Psalm 91 is similar to Psalm 27 and 31. God rescued David and Israel from the pestilence and plague that killed tens of thousands of people as is mentioned in 2 Samuel 2.
Whether it is Moses or David, this psalm refers to the real historical events in the life of Israel under either Moses or David. Thus, Psalm 91 is a reminder that God who had protected His people in the past, will do so again and again!
Does Psalm 91 promise to protect us from present -day pandemic?
We should read Psalm 91 in the context of the whole of Scripture, rather than just looking at a few verses by themselves. It was written under the Old Covenant, where physical blessings are promised. We are now under the New Covenant. The New Covenant (or New Testament) is the promise that God made to humanity, that He will forgive sins, and restore fellowship with those who believe in Him. Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant. It is this promise that made Christ die on cross for humanity.
God does not assure us physical immunity from every plague or pandemic during our sojourn in the flesh. Obedient believers are also stricken by diseases and never recover. “It is appointed unto men once to die”.Hebrews 9:27. During these pandemic times , we need to remind ourselves, of who He is and how much He cares for us. Put your trust in Him, and do not speak about fear and terror.
Entrust your life and future to HIM, come what may!
“My times are in your hands“Psalm 31:15.
How does the New Testament teach us to understand Psalm 91?
Yes. Jesus teaches us by example.During his temptation in the wilderness by Satan .Satan quotes Psalm 91: 11-12 to tempt Jesus. It is the only place in the whole bible where Satan has cited the Bible. Satan says “If you are God’s Son, throw yourself down, for the scripture says: “God will give orders to his angels about you; they will hold you up with their hands, so that not even your feet will be hurt on the stones.”‘ Mathew4 :6. Jesus answers with another Scripture: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test‘ (Deuteronomy 6.16).
Satan twisted the scripture and challenged Jesus to do something foolish and dangerous to test whether or not God would fulfill His promise. But Jesus, honouring the Scripture, responded that God is not to be put to the test.
Yes, God has the ability to protect us from all forms of dangers, but we should also be responsible. We should not expect God to rescue us every time we deliberately put ourselves in trouble or danger.
Careless behaviour is not acceptable by God and neither is misuse of Scripture. Learning from Jesus, we must also handle the Scriptures accordingly.
The message of Psalm 91
This Psalm speaks of God’s power, comfort, and protection against fear. It is a promise that we will not suffer from plagues and calamities as God’s JUDGEMENT against our sins. Our sins have been atoned for, by the blood of Jesus Christ. According to the new covenant, Christ promises us glory, immortality and eternal life. Hence , it is no longer death to die .Instead it means entering glorious immortality .
2 Thessalonian 2:14 and 1 Corinthian 15:53.
And that is better than any promise in the old covenant. The old covenant promises physical blessings in this world, whereas the new covenant promises spiritual blessings, and eternal life in our next life.
Even in perilous times, as the COVID-19 pandemic, we should recall that He is our shelter, our protector and our deliverer. We ought to also remember that God is in control, forever and always.
We can never escape the grave, but if we are obedient , righteous and abide in Christ, then regardless of the difficulties we face in this world, we can have eternal life by His grace, and we will be protected under His wings for eternity.
In life or death, you will “rest in the shadow of the Almighty” ( Psalm 91:12)
The all time favourite hymn “Amazing Grace,” echoes the promises of Psalm 91- grace, protection , comfort and hope in His shelter and under His wings!
Amazing Grace
“Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come.
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.”
All glory be to our Lord and our Saviour in whom we abide!
Psalm 91
1.He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 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.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
About The Author
Laila, a Christian blogger, empty nester, and mother of three married children is very optimistic person who is always hopeful that difficult days lead to better ones. Believes that nothing is as powerful as a smile, showing compassion and kindness, spreading love and sunshine and to live in peace and harmony.
Thank you so much for this insightful look at Psalm 91. I have often had questions about it and especially during pandemic. May our God bless you!
Patti,glad you liked the post about Psalm 91.Thanx for visiting my blog😊