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 will I 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 shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt 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 thou 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 thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou 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 upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Psalm 91
Also known as He That Dwelleth in the Secret Place · The Protection Psalm · Qui Habitat
About this prayer
The full text of Psalm 91 above is presented with its historical context, traditional meaning, and primary public-domain source.
Psalm 91 is the great protection psalm of the Hebrew Bible, used across Christian and Jewish traditions as a prayer for safety, protection from evil, and trust in God's care. It is one of the most quoted and prayed psalms in Christian devotional life. Its central image is dwelling in the secret place of the Most High and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty: the believer is pictured as resting in God's protection as a young bird rests beneath the wings of the parent.
The psalm has been used in many specific contexts: as a daily prayer for protection, as a prayer before travel, as a prayer for soldiers and those in dangerous occupations, as a prayer during epidemics and times of plague, as a prayer at the bedside of the sick, and as part of the Catholic and Orthodox night office (Compline). The psalm is sometimes called 'the Soldier's Psalm' in Christian tradition, having been prayed by soldiers across many centuries before going into battle or danger.
In the Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Hours, Psalm 91 is appointed for Compline (Night Prayer) on Sunday evenings. In the Orthodox tradition, it appears in the Hours and in many specific services of protection. In the Anglican tradition, it is included in the Psalter that the BCP appoints to be read through every month, and is one of the psalms most commonly chosen for funerals and for prayer in danger.
The English text below is from the King James Version of 1611, public domain.
When it's said
Read or prayed in personal devotion as a prayer for protection. Used in the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours (Compline on Sundays), in Orthodox Hours services, in Anglican Daily Office cycles, and in Christian household devotion. Frequently used as a prayer before travel, in times of physical danger, during epidemics, at the bedside of the sick, and in spiritual warfare contexts. Sometimes called 'the Soldier's Psalm,' it has been prayed by soldiers and those facing physical danger across many centuries.
Notes on the text
Verses 11-12 ('he shall give his angels charge over thee...lest thou dash thy foot against a stone') are quoted in the Gospel account of Christ's temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:6, Luke 4:10-11), where Satan misuses the verse to tempt Christ to test God. Christ's response (Matthew 4:7) cites Deuteronomy 6:16 ('Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God'), showing that the promise of angelic protection in Psalm 91 is not a license for presumption but a ground for trust. The phrase 'thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder' has been read in Christian tradition both literally (protection from physical danger) and figuratively (victory over spiritual evil). The figurative reading is the basis for Psalm 91's use in prayers of protection from spiritual harm and in some Christian traditions in connection with the rite of exorcism. The KJV's 'noisome pestilence' (verse 3) translates the Hebrew dever, meaning destructive plague. The psalm has historically been prayed during epidemics, including the Black Death of the 14th century and the influenza pandemics of the 20th century.
Common questions
Why is Psalm 91 called the Soldier's Psalm?
Did Christ pray Psalm 91?
Is Psalm 91 used in Catholic and Orthodox worship?
Psalm 91 (Old Testament). English text from the King James Version, 1611. Public domain.
Last reviewed: June 2026 against primary source.