The psalms have been Christians’ prayers for protection for three thousand years: “He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.” Below are eight of the best psalms for protection, from the great Psalm 91 to the night prayer of Psalm 4, each with its key verses in the Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible, a short explanation, and a link to the full psalm. At the end you will find how to pray them and a prayer for protection.
1. Psalm 91: the psalm of protection
The praise of a canticle for David. He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.
He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust.
For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.
In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
The classic psalm of God’s protection, prayed by the Church every Sunday night at Compline. It promises not that we will never suffer, but that God is with us in every danger, and that his angels guard us. Read the full Psalm 91.
2. Psalm 121: protection on every journey
The Lord keepeth thee from all evil: may the Lord keep thy soul.
May the Lord keep thy coming in and thy going out; from henceforth now and for ever.
The travelers’ psalm: “he shall neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel,” and he watches over our going out and coming in. Read the full Psalm 121.
3. Psalm 23: no fear in the dark valley
For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.
The Good Shepherd protects his sheep even “in the midst of the shadow of death.” Read the full Psalm 23.
4. Psalm 27: whom shall I fear?
The psalm of David before he was anointed. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?
With God as light and protector, fear loses its power. Read the full Psalm 27.
5. Psalm 46: God our refuge and strength
Our God is our refuge and strength: a helper in troubles, which have found us exceedingly.
Therefore we will not fear, when the earth shall be troubled; and the mountains shall be removed into the heart of the sea.
Even if the earth shakes and the mountains fall into the sea, God is our refuge. Read the full Psalm 46.
6. Psalm 34: the angel of the Lord
The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him: and shall deliver them.
God’s angels surround those who fear him. See also the Guardian Angel prayer. Read the full Psalm 34.
7. Psalm 4: protection through the night
In peace in the selfsame I will sleep, and I will rest:
For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope.
A bedtime psalm of trust: in God’s care we can sleep in peace. Read the full Psalm 4.
8. Psalm 31: into your hands
“Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a house of refuge, to save me… Into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Read the full Psalm 31.
How to pray the psalms for protection
- Pray them slowly, a few verses at a time, making the words your own.
- Morning and night: Psalm 91 or 121 in the morning, Psalm 4 or 91 at night.
- For others: change “me” to “him,” “her” or “us” and pray for family members, travelers, soldiers or anyone in danger.
- Trust, not magic: the psalms are prayers of trust in a loving Father, not charms. They ask God to protect us in body and soul, and above all from sin.
- Add the prayer to St. Michael and the Guardian Angel prayer. See the St. Michael prayer.
A prayer for protection
Written for this page:
Most High God, my refuge and my fortress, I trust in you.
Cover me and those I love with the shadow of your wings.
Send your angels to guard us in all our ways,
keep us from every evil of body and soul,
and watch over our going out and our coming in, now and for ever. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best psalm for protection?
Psalm 91, “He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High,” is the classic psalm of protection. Psalms 121, 23, 27 and 46 are also much loved.
Why are the psalm numbers different in Catholic Bibles?
Older Catholic Bibles such as the Douay-Rheims follow the Greek and Latin numbering, which is usually one lower: Psalm 91 is Psalm 90 in the Douay.
Can I pray a psalm for someone else’s protection?
Yes. Praying the psalms for others is an act of love; simply pray the words in their name.
More prayers for protection
- Psalm 54 (God is my helper)
- Psalm 59 (Deliver me from my enemies)
- Psalm 11 (In the Lord I take refuge)
- Psalm 17 (Keep me as the apple of your eye)
- Psalm 57 (In the shadow of your wings)
- Psalm 35 (Contend, O Lord, with those who fight me)
- Psalm 61 (Hear my cry, O God)
- Psalm 20 (May the Lord answer you in distress)
- Psalm 3 (You, Lord, are my shield)
- Psalms for strength
- Psalms for guidance
- Prayer for protection
- St. Michael prayer
- Guardian Angel prayer
- Psalms for anxiety
- Psalms for healing
- How many psalms are there?
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalms 90 (91), 120 (121), 22 (23), 26 (27), 45 (46), 33 (34), 4, 30 (31), Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.