Psalm 91

Psalm 91 is a song that seems good to sing on the eve of battle. I can see and hear God's warriors singing this on the march that takes them toward the enemy's camp.

To me, the sonorous melody and insistent -- almost ponderous -- LM rhythm of Old 100th ("The Doxology") in combination with these words evokes a mental image of an advancing band of men not to be trifled with.

 1  The man who once has found abode
   Within the secret place of God,
   Shall with Almighty God abide,
   And in his shadow safely hide.

2  I of the Lord my God will say,
   He is my refuge and my stay;
   To him for safety I will flee;
   My God, in him my trust shall be.

3  He shall with all protecting care
   Preserve thee from the fowler's snare;
   When fearful plagues around prevail,
   No fatal stroke shall thee assail.

4  His outspread pinions shall thee hide;
   Beneath his wings shalt thou confide;
   His faithfulness shall ever be
   A shield and buckler unto thee.

5  No nightly terrors shall alarm,
   No deadly shaft by day shall harm,
   Nor pestilence that walks by night,
   Nor plagues that waste in noon-day light.

6  A thousand at thy side shall lie,
   At thy right hand ten thousand die
   But thou unharmed, secure, shalt see
   What wicked men's reward shall be.

7  Because thy trust is God alone,
   Thy dwelling-place the Highest One,
   No evil shall upon thee come,
   Nor plague approach thy guarded home.

8  O'er thee his angels he commands,
   To bear thee safely in their hands;
   To keep thee in thy ways each one,
   Nor dash thy foot against a stone.

9  Thy foot shall crush the adder's head,
   On lions and on dragons tread;
   And since on me he set his love,
   I Will his constant Savior prove.

10  Because to him my name is dear,
   I'll him exalt above all fear.
   To me he'll lift his earnest cry,
   And I will answer from on high.

11  I will be near when troubles press;
   I'll save him, and with honors bless;
   With life he satisfied shall be,
   And my salvation he shall see.