Essential

Psalm 91: Under His Wings

Qui habitat

Psalm 91 is a biblical prayer of confidence in God’s protecting care. In the Greek and Latin numbering it is Psalm 90, and its Latin title, Qui habitat, comes from its opening words. The Psalter is traditionally associated with David, although this psalm has no named author in the Hebrew text. Catholics have long prayed it at Compline, the Church’s night prayer, and in times of danger, illness, temptation, or fear. Its promise concerning the angels appears in the Gospel account of Christ’s temptation. The psalm directs the faithful toward steadfast trust in God, who remains present in tribulation and leads his servants to salvation.

He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob. He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust. For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word. He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust. His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night. Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee. But thou shalt consider with thy eyes: and shalt see the reward of the wicked. Because thou, O Lord, art my hope: thou hast made the most High thy refuge. There shall no evil come to thee: nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling. For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways. In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon. Because he hoped in me, I will deliver him: I will protect him, because he hath known my name. He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him. I will fill him with length of days; and I will shew him my salvation.

In Latin

Qui habitat in adjutorio Altissimi, in protectione Dei caeli commorabitur. Dicet Domino: Susceptor meus es tu, et refugium meum; Deus meus, sperabo in eum. Quoniam ipse liberavit me de laqueo venantium, et a verbo aspero. Scapulis suis obumbrabit tibi, et sub pennis ejus sperabis. Scuto circumdabit te veritas ejus: non timebis a timore nocturno; a sagitta volante in die, a negotio perambulante in tenebris; ab incursu, et daemonio meridiano. Cadent a latere tuo mille, et decem millia a dextris tuis; ad te autem non appropinquabit. Verumtamen oculis tuis considerabis, et retributionem peccatorum videbis. Quoniam tu es, Domine, spes mea; Altissimum posuisti refugium tuum. Non accedet ad te malum, et flagellum non appropinquabit tabernaculo tuo. Quoniam angelis suis mandavit de te, ut custodiant te in omnibus viis tuis. In manibus portabunt te, ne forte offendas ad lapidem pedem tuum. Super aspidem et basiliscum ambulabis, et conculcabis leonem et draconem. Quoniam in me speravit, liberabo eum; protegam eum, quoniam cognovit nomen meum. Clamabit ad me, et ego exaudiam eum; cum ipso sum in tribulatione: eripiam eum, et glorificabo eum. Longitudine dierum replebo eum, et ostendam illi salutare meum.

When to pray it: Pray this psalm at night, in times of danger or fear, or whenever you seek renewed trust in God’s protection.

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