Psalm 91 prayer
Lord, I choose to dwell in your secret place and to rest under the shadow of the Almighty. You are my refuge and my fortress, my God; in you I will trust. Cover me with your feathers; under your wings I find shelter. Your truth is my shield. I will not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day. Give your angels charge over me and over those I love, to keep us in all our ways. When I call on you, answer me. Be with me in trouble, deliver me, and show me your salvation. Amen.
About Psalm 91
Psalm 91 has no title naming its author, though Jewish tradition links it with Moses, who wrote Psalm 90. It moves from a statement of trust (verses 1–2), to promises of protection (verses 3–13), to God himself speaking (verses 14–16): “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him.”
How to pray Psalm 91
Read the psalm slowly and turn each promise into a prayer, as above, changing “thee” to “me” or to the name of someone you love. Many families pray it before travel, at bedtime or in times of danger and illness.
A promise to trust, not a charm
When the devil quoted Psalm 91:11–12 to tempt Jesus to jump from the temple, Jesus refused to test God (Matthew 4:6–7). Psalm 91 is an invitation to trust God’s care, not a guarantee that nothing hard will ever happen. Its last promise is God’s presence: “I will be with him in trouble.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the Psalm 91 prayer?
It is a way of praying Psalm 91 as your own words, turning each verse into a personal prayer for God’s protection, such as “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God; in you I will trust” (Psalm 91:2).
Why is Psalm 91 called the prayer of protection?
Because nearly every verse promises God’s protection: his shadow, his wings, his angels and his deliverance in trouble. Soldiers, travelers and families have prayed it for centuries.
Can I pray Psalm 91 for my family?
Yes. Many people pray it over their children and loved ones by name, for example, “Give your angels charge over my family, to keep them in all their ways” (Psalm 91:11).
Where can I read all of Psalm 91?
Read the full Psalm 91 in the King James Version, one verse per screen, with the button below, or tap Listen to hear it read aloud.
More prayers
- The Hail Mary Prayer The traditional Catholic prayer to Mary, with the Bible verses it comes from.
- Hail, Holy Queen (Salve Regina) The Salve Regina, prayed at the end of the Rosary.
- How to Pray a Novena What a novena is, how to pray one, and a simple nine-day novena from Scripture.
- Morning Prayer Short prayers to start the day, the Lord’s Prayer and the Catholic Morning Offering.
- Prayer for Healing Prayers for your own healing, for someone who is sick, and for healing and strength.
- Prayer for Strength Prayers for strength in hard times, for courage and for guidance.