Shelter of the Most High
Holy Prophet David, the Psalmist. Fresco from Gracanica Monastery, Kosovo and Metohija, Serbia.
Psalm 90 (91)
He that dwelleth in the help of the Most High shall abide in the shelter of the God of heaven. He shall say unto the Lord: “Thou art my helper and my refuge. He is my God, and I will hope in Him.”
For He shall deliver thee from the snare of the hunters and from every troubling word. With His shoulders will He overshadow thee, and under His wings shalt thou have hope. With a shield will His truth encompass thee; thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, nor for the thing that walketh in darkness, nor for the mishap and demon of noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, by unto thee shall it not come nigh. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and thou shalt see the reward of sinners. For Thou, O Lord, art my hope. Thou madest the Most High thy refuge; no evils shall come nigh thee, and no scourge shall draw nigh unto thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. On their hands shall they bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Upon the asp and basilisk shalt thou tread, and thou shalt trample upon the lion and dragon. “For he hath set his hope on Me, and I will deliver him; I will shelter him because he hath known My name. He shall cry unto Me, and I will hearken unto him. I am with him in affliction, and I will rescue him and glorify him. With length of days will I satisfy him, and I will show him My salvation.”
The Beatitudes
- Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are those who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
- Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
- Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the sons of God.
- Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.