top of page
Writer's pictureGretchen Swank

Psalm 91: Abiding in "the shadow of the Almighty"


The Book of Psalms is a book in the Old Testament that contains 150 chapters of lyrical poems. The Hebrew title of this book means, "songs of praise," and the Greek title, Psalmoi means "Sacred songs sung to musical accompaniment." The authors of these poems, which were believed to have been written over a period of approximately one thousand years, are David, Moses, Solomon, Asaph, and the Sons of Korah.


The Book of Psalms is useful to a Braucher in many aspects of our work, as devotion to our faith is one of the core components of our tradition. The Psalms are not only integrated into elements of our rituals for various "tryings," we also choose to bring them in for various reasons according to their contents.


Psalm 91 is a charm I use every day. I recite this Psalm every morning as part of my morning prayer routine, as it is a beautiful reminder that we are safe under the cover of God's love; and the words summon the protection of his watchful angels over us, that we may suffer no evil. I also elect to read this Psalm aloud before and after all Powwow sessions, or Powwow work such as making of Brauche Bags, in which the patient indicates a spell of misfortune, fears they have been bewitched, or if I suspect there may be an undercurrent working against the person which is either known or unknown. The Psalm is beautiful, and it can only work in the patient's favor if that is God's will.


Psalm 91: Abiding in "the Shadow of the Almighty"


He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him I will trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shall though trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Though shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because though hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands lest though dash thy foot against a stone.

Though shall tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt though trample under feet.

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.

He shall call call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life I will satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.



by Gretchen Swank; November 6, 2022

Reference: https://www/apologia.com/psalms-devotional/ for more information regarding the history of the Book of Psalms, as some facts in the first paragraph were gleaned from this page.

27 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page