Psalms91
New Living Translation
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.
9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
Study
Psalms 91Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 91. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The safety of those who have God for their refuge. (1–8). Their favour with Him. (9–16).
vv1-8
He that by faith chooses God for his protector, shall find all in him that he needs or can desire. And those who have found the comfort of making the Lord their refuge, cannot but desire that others may do so. The spiritual life is protected by Divine grace from the temptations of Satan, which are as the snares of the fowler, and from the contagion of sin, which is a noisome pestilence. Great security is promised to believers in the midst of danger. Wisdom shall keep them from being afraid without cause, and faith shall keep them from being unduly afraid. Whatever is done, our heavenly Father's will is done; and we have no reason to fear. God's people shall see, not only God's promises fulfilled, but his threatenings. Then let sinners come unto the Lord upon his mercy-seat, through the Redeemer's name; and encourage others to trust in him also.
vv9-16
Whatever happens, nothing shall hurt the believer; though trouble and affliction befal, it shall come, not for his hurt, but for good, though for the present it be not joyous but grievous. Those who rightly know God, will set their love upon him. They by prayer constantly call upon him. His promise is, that he will in due time deliver the believer out of trouble, and in the mean time be with him in trouble. The Lord will manage all his worldly concerns, and preserve his life on earth, so long as it shall be good for him. For encouragement in this he looks unto Jesus. He shall live long enough; till he has done the work he was sent into this world for, and is ready for heaven. Who would wish to live a day longer than God has some work to do, either by him or upon him? A man may die young, yet be satisfied with living. But a wicked man is not satisfied even with long life. At length the believer's conflict ends; he has done for ever with trouble, sin, and temptation.
Key Words
יָשַׁב: properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
סֵתֶר: a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
עֶלְיוֹן: an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as title, the Supreme
לוּן: to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)
צֵל: shade, whether literal or figurative
שַׁדַּי: the Almighty
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
מַחֲסֶה: a shelter (literally or figuratively)
מָצוּד: a net, or (abstractly) capture; also a fastness
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
Cross References
Psalms 91Satan explicitly quotes verses 11-12 to tempt Jesus in the wilderness.
Parallel account of Satan's temptation of Jesus, citing the angelic protection promise.
Jesus grants disciples power to tread on serpents and scorpions, echoing verse 13.
Paul promises that God will bruise Satan (the dragon/serpent) under believers' feet.
Supported by Matthew Henry
God protecting Israel like an eagle fluttering over her young with her wings.
Supported by JFB
Jesus uses the same maternal bird imagery of gathering children under wings.
Supported by JFB
Prayer to be hidden under the shadow of God's wings.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel designation of the Lord as our dwelling place or habitation.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Defines angels as ministering spirits sent to serve heirs of salvation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The historic pestilence under David, considered by commentators as the Psalm's occasion.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Literal fulfillment of safety from venomous beasts when Paul survives a viper.
Direct parallel: calling upon God in trouble and Him delivering the believer.
Promise that the sun shall not smite by day, nor moon by night.
Wisdom promises that thy foot shall not stumble, and no fear of sudden terror.