How can we take the Psalms as promises or use them in prayer? Specifically, for example, how can we take Psalm 91:10-12 as a promise: "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 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."? Was this only about Christ? Or how could I take this as a promise or pray this since sometimes evil does come upon me or I might suffer a plague?
Or how about verse 5 "Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; " How could I take this as a promise if I did get hit by an arrow? It wouldn't make sense to pray after getting struck by an arrow, "Lord, your Word says that I will not be afraid of the arrow that flies by day!" How could I take Psalm 145:15 as a promise if I ended up dying of starvation: "The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season." ? How could I trust in the Lord as my fortress if I did end up getting captured and killed by the enemy?
(My question is similar to the question a person might ask in wondering why some people who honor their parents die young...instead of having their days be long in the land.)
I hope it is clear that I am not doubting God's Word. I am simply trying to understand how I can apply/interpret the Psalms to use them as promises and to use them in prayer. (I know there can be many aspects/details to answering these questions such as God's providence, the effects of sin in the world, etc...so thank you all for your input.)
Or how about verse 5 "Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; " How could I take this as a promise if I did get hit by an arrow? It wouldn't make sense to pray after getting struck by an arrow, "Lord, your Word says that I will not be afraid of the arrow that flies by day!" How could I take Psalm 145:15 as a promise if I ended up dying of starvation: "The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season." ? How could I trust in the Lord as my fortress if I did end up getting captured and killed by the enemy?
(My question is similar to the question a person might ask in wondering why some people who honor their parents die young...instead of having their days be long in the land.)
I hope it is clear that I am not doubting God's Word. I am simply trying to understand how I can apply/interpret the Psalms to use them as promises and to use them in prayer. (I know there can be many aspects/details to answering these questions such as God's providence, the effects of sin in the world, etc...so thank you all for your input.)