The Bible describes God as a refuge and fortress (Psalm 91:1-2), a present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1), and the keeper of His people (Psalm 121:7-8). He is faithful to establish and keep you from evil (2 Thessalonians 3:3). "The name of the LORD is a strong tower" (Proverbs 18:10).
From psalms of refuge to New Testament promises, Scripture points anxious hearts to God's protection. These twelve King James passages are grouped by the pictures they use: shelter, keeper, and strong tower.
God our refuge
1. Psalms 91:1-2
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."
Dwelling in God's secret place leads to rest under His shadow. The psalmist names Him refuge, fortress, and the one trusted.
2. Psalms 91:11-12
"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."
God commands His angels to keep you in all your ways. Satan later quoted these lines in Jesus' temptation (Matthew 4:6).
3. Psalms 46:1
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
God is refuge and strength, "a very present help in trouble": help that is near when trouble arrives.
4. Psalms 32:7
"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah."
David calls God his hiding place, who preserves from trouble and surrounds with songs of deliverance.
The Lord keeps you
5. Psalms 121:7-8
"The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."
The LORD preserves from all evil and keeps your going out and coming in, from this time forth. Everyday journeys are under His care.
6. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
"But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."
The Lord is faithful: He will establish you and keep you from evil. Protection is tied to God's faithfulness.
7. Psalms 27:1
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
If the LORD is light and salvation, fear loses its claim. He is also "the strength of my life."
8. Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
Be strong and courageous: the LORD goes with you and will not fail or forsake you. Courage rests on His presence.
Strong tower and shield
9. Proverbs 18:10
"The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. Safety is found by fleeing to Him.
10. Psalms 18:2
"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."
David piles up images: rock, fortress, deliverer, strength, buckler, horn of salvation, high tower. God is every kind of defense.
11. Isaiah 41:10
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
Fear not: God is with you, He will strengthen, help, and uphold. Presence answers fear.
12. Isaiah 54:17
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD."
No weapon formed against you shall prosper. Spoken to God's people as a heritage of servants of the LORD.
A short prayer
Lord, You are my refuge and fortress. I put my trust in You. Keep me in my going out and coming in, strengthen my heart when I am afraid, and help me run to Your name as my strong tower. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
[Download our free SOAP study page | Get the 30-page SOAP Bible Study Journal]
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Bible verse for protection?
Psalm 91:1-2, Psalm 121:7-8, Psalm 46:1, and Isaiah 41:10 are among the most shared protection verses.
Where is Psalm 91 in the Bible?
Psalm 91 is in the Book of Psalms. Verses 1-2 and 11-12 are especially often quoted for God's shelter and angelic care.
What does "the name of the LORD is a strong tower" mean?
Proverbs 18:10 pictures God's character and presence as a fortified place. Running to Him by faith is how the righteous find safety.
Is there a Bible verse about God keeping you from evil?
2 Thessalonians 3:3: "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil."
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about strength · Bible verses about anxiety · Bible verses about peace · Bible verses about trusting God · Bible verses about faith
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
