Psalm 91- for assembly (with motions)

Psalm 91:1-11

He that dwelleth (folded hands in prayer) in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow (holds hands overhead and crouch a bit to stay underneath the “shelter”) of the Almighty.

 

² I will say (hand moves outward from mouth) of the Lord, He is my refuge (teacher’s left hand fisted to side with bent elbow) and my fortress (same for teacher’s right hand. . .opposite for students facing teacher): my God; in him will I trust (bring both those hands across body in hug).

 

³ Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare (elbows touching in front of body, and hands clap together as if trap snaps shut) of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence (cover ears).

 

⁴ He shall cover thee with his feathers (flitting fingers trace whole body moving from head to knees), and under his wings shalt thou trust (back row of students will hold up arms over students in front of them, and those students will cuddle under the protective “wings”): his truth shall be thy shield (teacher’s left arm up in fighting pose in front of body and fisted hand, bent elbow) and buckler (same with other hand a little lower).

 

⁵ Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night (hands up overhead in terror posture as if blocking danger from approaching); nor for the arrow that flieth by day (adopt archer’s pose);

 

⁶ Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness (tip toe in place); nor for the destruction (clap) that wasteth at noonday (make large circle with arms, like a sun in front of the body).

 

⁷ A thousand shall fall at thy side (teacher throws right arm down to side, student throws left), and ten thousand at thy right hand (teacher throws down left, student right); but it shall not (make large “X” with arms in front of body) come nigh thee.

 

⁸ Only with thine eyes (point to eyes) shalt thou behold and see the reward (slam fist into palm as a judge’s gavel would slam down) of the wicked.

 

⁹ Because thou hast made the Lord (praying hands and bowed head), which is my refuge (closed hands to chest), even the most High (arms to heaven outstretched), thy habitation;

 

¹⁰ There shall no evil befall thee (make large “X” with arms), neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling (make gesture by throat of cutting motion and let head fall to side).

 

¹¹ For he (point two index fingers to heaven) shall give his angels charge over thee (point two thumbs to self), to keep thee in all thy ways (make sweeping motion with both hands, open palms facing self, crossing in front of body and ending up outstretched overhead in praise posture).