Why do they read Psalm 90 and how does this great prayer help?

Psalm 90: Creation Story

Psalm 90 is one of the most famous prayer chants. It is contained in the Psalter, a book of the Old Testament containing about one and a half hundred psalms (a genre of spiritual chants). Psalm 90 in Russian is very popular among believers. He is also known to Orthodox Christians by his first words: “Alive in the help of the Most High.”

The author of this psalm, like the main part of the Psalter, is the Old Testament Jewish king and prophet David, who lived in the 11th-10th centuries BC. The text was written by him as gratitude and praise to God after the miraculous deliverance of the Israeli people from the pestilence epidemic.

Opened Psalter in an Orthodox church

Psalm 90. Alive in the help of the Most High

Text of Psalm 90 with emphasis and translation About Psalm 90 Explanation and brief interpretation of the psalm

PSALM 90 - TEXT WITH EMPHASIS AND TRANSLATION

Psalm No. 90 (with Glory) listen:

KATHISMA 12

<

Glory:

HOW PSALM 91 WAS WRITTEN AND WHAT IT MEANS

Among researchers, it is believed that the text of this psalm, which begins with the words “Living in help,” was composed by King David regarding salvation from a three-day pestilence, which is why it is also called David’s song of praise. In this instructive psalm, the prophet teaches that faith in God is the best protection from all evil and from demonic attacks. Those who love God with their hearts and trust in His protection may not be afraid of various dangers.

The ninetieth psalm is a very powerful prayer for help, which, based on centuries of experience, will help protect you from any troubles and evil. He is “like a powerful weapon against demons, the 90th Psalm has been tested by many generations of Christians” (hieromonk Job (Gumerov).

Even the words of Satan, during the temptations of the Savior, prove to us how effective the words of the 90th Psalm are against him. After His Baptism, the Lord Jesus Christ withdrew into the desert for forty days to pray, and there the Savior began to be tempted by the devil. One of the temptations was: if you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written :

He will command His angels concerning You, and in their hands they will bear You up, lest You dash Your foot against a stone” (Matthew 4:6).

“ To his angels... ” - these are the words from the ninety psalm and Satan would hardly have repeated them if they had not been so strong in the fight against him.

EXPLANATION AND BRIEF INTERPRETATION OF PSALM 90

Ps.90:1-2 He who lives in the help of the Most High will dwell in the shelter of the Heavenly God, says to the Lord: Thou art my protector and my refuge, my God, and I trust in Him. Living in the help of the Most High - whoever hopes and trusts in the help of the Most High, He will patronize him. He who believes in the Lord says to the Lord: You are my intercessor and my refuge: my God, I will trust in Him. This verse speaks of man’s devotion to the will of God, hope for His protection and, therefore, peace and confidence in his safety.

Ps.90:3-4 For He will deliver you from the snare of the trap and from the speech of rebellion: His lashes will cover you, and you will trust under His wing; His truth will surround you with weapons. The Lord God delivers from any snares, from all evil that can lead to confusion (from the word rebellious). He will cover you from troubles (His blanket will cover you) and give you a feeling of peace and security (and you will hope under His wing). The truth of God will surround you on all sides and will be like a weapon. The truth here is loyalty to the Lord, He promises His help, and those who want to receive it will certainly receive it.

Ps.90:5-6 Do not be afraid from the fear of the night, from the arrow that flies during the day, from the thing that passes in the darkness, from the debris and demon of the midday. Night darkness is an image of fears and danger. The psalmist convinces man that those who are under God’s protection need not fear either the fears of the night or the arrows “flying in the days.” You will be protected from every (hostile) thing that happens at night (in the darkness that passes), and from various accidents, surprises during “meetings” (from clutter, i.e. from what happens accidentally), from evil spirits, which can attack at noon (in broad daylight).

Ps.90:7-8 Thousands will fall from your country, and darkness will be at your right hand, but it will not come near you: behold your eyes and see the reward of sinners. If a thousand enemies attack on one side and ten thousand (or more) on the other, then even in this case they will not be able to approach you. They will not cause you any harm and you yourself, with your own eyes, will see how the Lord will punish them for this (behold with your eyes and see the reward of sinners). The biblical story describes how the Judah king Hezekiah, being surrounded by the enemy, cried out to the Lord God and received protection from Him - 185 thousand Assyrian troops were defeated in one night (2 Chron. 32).

Ps.90:9 For You, O Lord, are my hope: You have made the Most High your refuge. You, Lord, are all my hope and support (as you, Lord, are my hope), says the psalmist. You have chosen the Almighty alone as your refuge.

Ps.90:10-13 No evil will come to you, and no wound will come near your body: as His angel commanded you, keep you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their arms, but not when you dash your foot on a stone: you step on an asp and a basilisk and cross a lion and a serpent. The word “telesi” is translated here as village, dwelling. Therefore, the prophet put the following meaning into these words: after you have believed in God and chosen Him as your Protector, no evil will approach your home. After all, the Lord sends His angels and commands them (His angels commandment about you) so that they always protect you in all matters (keep you in all your ways). In case of danger, the Angels will support you so that you do not stumble over an obstacle, as one stumbles over a stone (not when you stumble your foot on a stone). And the deeper meaning of this saying is that Angels will be guards from various temptations on your path. “You will tread on the lion and the adder, you will trample the skimn and the dragon.” The asp, basilisk and dragon were considered the most terrible snakes. In the interpretation of the Bishop of Sarapul there is a description that the venom of the asp is very strong and is difficult to neutralize even with the most powerful spells. The basilisk (spectacled snake) has fiery eyes, very dangerous for animals, they literally paralyze, its poison is fatal to them. In ancient times, the basilisk was often a symbol of terrible, royal power. The serpent, dragon (or boa constrictor) is the largest of all serpentine creatures, its length is more than 10 meters. He can swallow a person or even a bull; his strength is often compared to the devil. Leo has always been revered as the strongest, the king of beasts.

But, even despite such great dangers that these animals symbolize, a person under God’s protection will repel the attacks of any enemies and defeat the most terrible evil.

Ps.90:14-16 For I have trusted, and I will deliver, and I will cover, and because I have known My name. He will call to Me, and I will hear him: I am with him in sorrow, I will overcome him and glorify him: I will fill him with long days and show him My salvation. Further, the prophet speaks on behalf of God: after a person began to trust in Me (as if he trusted in Me), I will deliver him and shelter him from troubles and dangers. And because he began to believe Me (for he knew My name), I will not leave him without protection. And if any trouble befalls a person, I will be next to him in this trouble (I am with him in sorrow), I will deliver him (from him) from it, and even glorify him. Those. The Lord will turn even difficult circumstances into prosperity and glory. I will fulfill it by the length of my days - the believer and lover of God will receive as a reward long life on earth and the bliss of life in the next century. The psalm “Alive in Help” is the most popular among believers; it is most often searched for on the Internet. It is very useful to learn this psalm by heart and read it before any important task.

Share:

Psalm 90 in Russian: interpretation

In the Greek Psalter this psalm is called "David's Song of Praise." This title reflects the main theme of the psalm - God will protect and comfort everyone who trusts in him. A distinctive feature of this sacred song is its dialogic nature. There are 2 narrators in the psalm. They describe in detail how God protects and helps those who believe and trust in Him. With the help of vivid, poetic images, the psalm tells that everyone who has God as their Patron is blessed. And that the Almighty will protect those who trust in Him from any danger.

Various examples of danger are given: the net of the fowler (symbolizing the bonds of the devil). Flying arrow (has both a literal and figurative meaning - sins and passions). Seditious words (i.e. slander and slander). Asp, basilisk, lion, serpent (wild animals and unclean spirits). Midday demon (symbol of sinful daytime relaxation, laziness, gluttony). And also bodily wounds and night terrors. In addition, the psalm says that he who trusts in God will not only be protected from enemies, but will also see their fall and just punishment.

The last lines of the psalm are especially solemn. All of the above is confirmed by the words of God himself: He will hear and save all who know and love Him.

Key Ideas of Prayer

Having learned why Psalm 90 is read, you should understand its essence.
This most powerful prayer is permeated with the idea that the Lord is the protector of all people, he will provide refuge to everyone who sincerely believes in him. The text calms the soul, relieves anxiety, and protects a person from any danger. The idea of ​​prayer is that faith in the Lord is an incomparable power capable of working miracles. The prayer prophesies the coming of the Savior, who will protect every person from evil and sinful thoughts.

Psalm 90 in worship and home prayer

Psalm 90 is used both in worship services, in home prayer, and in everyday life. When is Psalm 90 read? In Orthodoxy, it is read at the service of the 6th hour, which is dedicated to the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. And also at Great Compline, during the funeral service and memorial service.

Believers often use this psalm in home prayer. Reading the psalms is interpreted by church traditions and traditions as an extremely powerful weapon against the devil. Exercise in psalmody instills in a person devotion and gratitude to God, helps strengthen the souls of believers in the fight against unclean spirits and passions.

The meaning of the words of prayer

Psalm 90, written as praise to the Lord by the prophet David long before the birth of Jesus Christ, contains the idea of ​​receiving intercession through all-consuming faith. And not simple intercession, but crushing everything.

This fills the heart with a feeling of complete satisfaction, the knowledge that one has found the truth in God. The soul immediately becomes calm.

It turns out that achieving grace is simple:

• Only a deeply religious person can find confidence, peace and protection. He loves God with all his heart, opens his soul and entrusts his thoughts.
• The Almighty gave Moses the Ten Commandments. By following them, everyone gains the Lord's protection.
• Our heavenly Father will always protect the believer from the attacks of enemies, will not allow him to fall into sinful passion, and will ward off slander that creates confusion in our souls.
• The Almighty loves us. He sent his son Jesus Christ to death to atone for all human sins committed in the past, as well as future ones.

Psalm as prayer in danger

Psalm 90 has been read by Christians in dangerous situations for many centuries. And not only during demonic obsessions, but also when attacked by enemies, dangerous animals, and also to protect yourself from slander and slander. Christian warriors from different historical eras had the text of this psalm, written on paper or fabric, sewn into their clothes. But, of course, using the text of the psalm only as a protective amulet is not enough. You need to turn to God in the words of King David and hope for His mercy and help.

How to say the text of the prayer

Fully focused on content. Clearly imagining images of the manifestation of the Almighty’s help. Consistently, slowly, saying the words of prayer, imbued with life-affirming power. Gain strength and confidence.

The text fills a person with the bright joy of realizing the power of the Creator, who gives hope in difficult life circumstances. The Lord will help, protect, protect. He who resorts to his mercy will be saved.

Tempted by Satan, Jesus Christ, during a 40-day fast in the desert, read the verses of the 90th Psalm of the Holy Scriptures. And the Devil retreated powerlessly.

How a psalm helped us survive the war

There are a large number of stories about how Psalm 90 helped in dangerous situations. Especially a lot of such evidence is associated with various situations during periods of hostilities. During the Great Patriotic War. Some of them are described in the books by Viktor Nikolaev “Alive in Help”, Andrei Farberov “Save and Preserve” and Maria Gordova “Wind Tenderness”.

The latter, for example, contains the story of Pyotr Zavyalov, a participant in the Great Patriotic War. Peter was drafted into the army, his mother gave him a piece of paper with the 90th Psalm and told him to sew it into his tunic. Prayer repeatedly saved the narrator’s life: he survived the Battle of Stalingrad and the Kursk Bulge. In 1944, he lost a piece of paper with a psalm and was later wounded. But Peter already kept this prayer in his heart and, while he was conscious, prayed. The doctor later said that he was born wearing a shirt. Pyotr Zavyalov completed his service in Germany and returned home safely with military awards.

Read us conveniently on social networks:

Tags: alive in the help of the Most High, alive in the help of prayer, psalm 90, psalm 90 in Russian