Environmental Stewardship Commission

Psalm 91

Reflection on Psalm 91

by Nan Stokes

In this day of "miracle drugs" and antibiotics, we think less and less of "plagues", especially one coming "near our dwellings", but in the time when the psalms were composed, such a happening was a reality.  Psalm 91 goes on to tell of other ways the Lord will act as our refuge, and many of those ways talk of natural things – things of nature:  "dash your foot against a stone" and "tread upon the lion and the adder".   In the Old Testament reading from Isaiah this day, natural things are used in telling about how we "like sheep" have gone astray, and the Suffering Servant is described as a "lamb that is led to the slaughter".  This reading is a part of our scriptural heritage and remains so beautiful in its description that every time we hear it, it becomes more special.  Reading the lectionary lessons with an eye (and ear) to how many times nature is part of the image keeps reminding us that the environment is involved in everything that is happening on the stage of our life drama.  We must continue to make the Lord our refuge and to steward the environment that is part of creation.
 

Nan Stokes originally wrote this reflection in 1998, when she was an active member of St. Edward the Confessor Episcopal Church, Duluth, MN. From 2001 to 2005 she was also Co-Chair for MEESC. She and we welcome your comments. Please address your comments or additional reflections to Nan Stokes or any MEESC member, or mail them to:

This page last updated 06-09-27.