A reader asked for Psalms that speak to God’s protection and guidance. She and her adult daughter live an ocean apart, and despite the distance and different time zones, her daughter calls her every night. She prays for her daughter every day, and sends her verses of encouragement from the Bible.
Her comment made me think of my own mother, who would hand-write and mail a letter to me every week when my husband and I were far away at seminary. Then another once or twice a week, she would send me newspaper or magazine clippings with her own comments in the margin. “I can’t believe this!” “Interesting!” And always “love, Mom.” Before the age of internet and free long-distance phone calls, she made good use of the postal service to stay in touch.
Below are some of my favourite verses of Scripture that speak of God’s protection and guidance. In each case, I’ve included links to the whole psalm, since the verses are best read in context that give a larger picture of God’s love and care for us.
One of the most well-known passages of the Bible:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Refuge from troubles of the heart:
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart,
and bring me out of my distress.
Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
O guard my life and deliver me;
do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
A song of thanks for God’s deliverance:
Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!
O Lord, be my helper!
You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have taken off my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
A prayer for protection and guidance:
Incline your ear to me;
rescue me speedily.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me.
You are indeed my rock and my fortress;
for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.
An affirmation of God’s help:
Surely, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.
A strong tower against any enemy:
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
for you are my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
Let me abide in your tent forever,
find refuge under the shelter of your wings.
God’s presence protects and guides:
I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me with honor.
But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
to tell of all your works.
A promise in trying times:
Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
the Most High your dwelling place,
no evil shall befall you,
no scourge come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
A pray for protection from violence:
Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers;
protect me from those who are violent.
God’s protection and guidance day and night and forevermore:
The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.
Please leave a comment: Which of these Scripture verses most resonate with you today? What verses of God’s protection and guidance would you add?
