Psalms – Chapter 91

Old Testament16 Verses

1A psalm of a canticle on the sabbath day.

2It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to thy name, O most High.

3To shew forth thy mercy in the morning, and thy truth in the night:

4Upon an instrument of ten strings, upon the psaltery: with a canticle upon the harp.

5For thou hast given me, O Lord, a delight in thy doings: and in the works of thy hands I shall rejoice.

6O Lord, how great are thy works! thy thoughts are exceeding deep.

7The senseless man shall not know: nor will the fool understand these things.

8When the wicked shall spring up as grass: and all the workers of iniquity shall appear: That they may perish for ever and ever:

9But thou, O Lord, art most high for evermore.

10For behold thy enemies, O Lord, for behold thy enemies shall perish: and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

11But my horn shall be exalted like that of the unicorn: and my old age in plentiful mercy.

12My eye also hath looked down upon my enemies: and my ear shall hear of the downfall of the malignant that rise up against me.

13The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus.

14They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God.

15They shall still increase in a fruitful old age: and shall be well treated,

16That they may shew, That the Lord our God is righteous, and there is no iniquity in him.

Reflection for Today

Psalm 91 is treasured in Catholic tradition as a powerful prayer of protection and trust in God's providence. The Catechism teaches that God's providence extends to every aspect of our lives, and this psalm expresses confident faith in His protective care (CIC 302-314). The Church prays this psalm at Compline (Night Prayer), entrusting the hours of darkness to God's watchful care.

The imagery of shelter under God's wings recalls the maternal aspect of divine love that Catholic theology affirms. The promise of angelic protection—"He will command his angels concerning you"—grounds the Catholic devotion to guardian angels. The Catechism teaches that "from infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession" (CIC 336).

Satan's misuse of this psalm to tempt Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:6) reminds us that Scripture can be distorted. Catholic interpretation emphasizes that trust in God does not mean testing Him or presuming on His protection while acting recklessly. This psalm teaches us to rest in God's care while exercising prudent responsibility, confident that nothing can separate us from His love.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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