It is often remarked that Christian Scientists frequently quote the 91st Psalm and that they appear to have a marked preference for it. It is true that they find much comfort in this psalm, and the reason seems to be that it contains so much in the nature of a direct and positive message to suffering mortals. Perhaps no other portion of the Bible, unless it be the 8th chapter of Romans, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Commandments, is studied more eagerly by Christian Scientists. It is rich in promises and the student is plentifully rewarded. Every verse yields its treasure. No sentence seems superfluous. Every word has a deep significance. It is a veritable treatment; it breathes a benediction; it carries healing on its wings. It lifts the reader into a spiritual altitude, into a sweet communion with the source of health and purity. Its tendency is to dispel the clouds of doubt and uncertainty and to encourage hopefulness and vigor.
The most important assurance conveyed by the 91st Psalm is that of protection and security. It both promises safety and tells where it may be found. Mortals look everywhere for a place where they will be immune to danger, and they never yet have found such a place in matter. This psalm tells us plainly that it is in Mind, in God. The children of men are afraid to stay in the valley and afraid to go up into the mountain. They are afraid of earth, of water, and of air. They are afraid to stay in the house and afraid to go outside. They are afraid to eat and afraid not to eat. They are afraid of each other, of the devil, and saddest of all, they are afraid of God, and when anything happens which cannot be accounted for in any other way, mortals say it is an effect of God's inscrutable providence. And still they try to love Him.
Being so beset by fear, "man that is born of a woman" illustrates Job's statement. "The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me." The dangers which ignorance and superstition conjure up to torment us, are increased and apparently brought about in our individual experience by our fear of them and belief in them. To all such the psalmist says, "Thou shalt not be afraid," and how sweet is this message. How gently it comes to the perturbed, suffering sense, and tenderly bids us trust. It recalls that encouraging text from Isaiah: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." This brings out the same thought that dominates the 91st Psalm, the idea of peace, of freedom from discord. Where may we find it? It is not in matter, nor in any material medicine or theology. Where can it be but in the mental condition which cognizes only God and His creation. Where can it be but in spirituality, in our divorce from all carnality. Paul says, "To be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." To think materially is death. To think spiritually is life.
