Article April 24, 1909 Issue

THE NINETY-FIRST PSALM

JOHN ASHCROFT.

While passing through one of those experiences which help us finally to understand the supremacy of Mind, the writer's thought dwelt frequently on that beautiful psalm so dear to Christian Scientists,—the 91st.—and it became a source of great comfort and help.

The authorship of this psalm appears to be unknown. It is sometimes attributed to David; but while he undoubtedly experienced "the terror by night," and was exposed to "the arrow that fileth by day," it is quite possible that the psalm was written by Moses, to whom is credited the one preceding. Some of the expressions used seem to indicate this: "the pestilence that walketh in darkness:" "the destruction that wasteth at noonday;" "neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling,"—all these seem to be associated with the thought of the one who led Israel out of Egypt. However this may be, the psalm was certainly written by one who had proved God's goodness and protecting care; one who knew that only by dwelling "in the secret place of the most High," can man "abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

The understanding that man is spiritual, not material, as gained from the study of the Christian Science textbook, alone makes such abiding possible; and begets the confidence which can truthfully say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress." To the possessor of such confidence there is always the comforting assurance, "Surely he shall deliver thee." Throughout the Scriptures fear is recognized only to be denied and destroyed, and the injunction, "Thou shalt not be afraid," found frequent confirmation in the teaching of our Master. Our Leader also reaffirms this uplifting thought in the Christian Science text-book, Science and Health, and as we put in practice these teachings we come to know that fear can never disturb us if we are constantly conscious of the everpresence and all-power of God, good."

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