USB ~ Psalms 91

Security Under God’s Protection

1 You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,† who abide in the shade of the Almighty,†

2 Say to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.” a

3 He will rescue you from the fowler’s snare, from the destroying plague,

4 He will shelter you with his pinions, and under his wings you may take refuge; b his faithfulness is a protecting shield.

5 You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, c

6 Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon. d

7 Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come.

8 You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see. e

9 Because you have the LORD for your refuge and have made the Most High your stronghold,

10 No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent. f

11 †For he commands his angels with regard to you, g to guard you wherever you go. h

12 With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone. i

13 You can tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion and the dragon. j

14 Because he clings to me I will deliver him; because he knows my name I will set him on high. k

15 He will call upon me and I will answer; l I will be with him in distress; m I will deliver him and give him honor.

16 With length of days I will satisfy him, and fill him with my saving power. n

Footnotes

†. Psalm 91 A prayer of someone who has taken refuge in the Lord, possibly within the Temple (Ps 91:1-2). The psalmist is confident that God’s presence will protect the people in every dangerous situation (Ps 91:3-13). The final verses are an oracle of salvation promising salvation to those who trust in God (Ps 91:14-16).

†. 91:1 The shelter of the Most High: basically “hiding place” but in the Psalms a designation for the protected Temple precincts, cf. Ps 27:5; 31:21; 61:5. The shade of the Almighty: lit., “the shadow of the wings of the Almighty,” cf. Ps 17:8; 36:8; 57:2; 63:8. Ps 91:4 makes clear that the shadow is an image of the safety afforded by the outstretched wings of the cherubim in the holy of holies.

†. 91:11-12 The words are cited in Lk 4:10-11; Mt 4:6, as Satan tempts Jesus in the desert.

91:2 Ps 18:3; 31:3-4; 42:10; 142:6; 2 Sm 22:3.
91:4 Ps 17:8; 36:8; 57:2; 63:8; Dt 32:11; Ru 2:12; Mt 23:37.
91:5 Prv 3:25; Sg 3:8.
91:6 Dt 32:24.
91:8 Ps 92:12.
91:10 Prv 12:21; Dt 7:15.
91:11-12 Mt 4:6; Lk 4:10f.
91:11 Heb 1:14.
91:12 Ps 121:3; Prv 3:23.
91:13 Is 11:8; Lk 10:19.
91:14 Ps 9:11; 119:132.
91:15 Jer 33:3; Zec 13:9.
91:15 Is 43:2.
91:16 Prv 3:2.