Psalms 91:1

Psalm 91

91:1 As for you, the one who lives in the shelter of the sovereign One,

and resides in the protective shadow of the mighty king

Psalms 91:9-16

91:9 For you have taken refuge in the Lord,

my shelter, the sovereign One.

91:10 No harm will overtake you;

no illness will come near your home.

91:11 For he will order his angels 10 

to protect you in all you do. 11 

91:12 They will lift you up in their hands,

so you will not slip and fall on a stone. 12 

91:13 You will subdue 13  a lion and a snake; 14 

you will trample underfoot a young lion and a serpent.

91:14 The Lord says, 15 

“Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him;

I will protect him 16  because he is loyal to me. 17 

91:15 When he calls out to me, I will answer him.

I will be with him when he is in trouble;

I will rescue him and bring him honor.

91:16 I will satisfy him with long life, 18 

and will let him see my salvation.


sn Psalm 91. In this psalm an individual (perhaps a priest) addresses one who has sought shelter in the Lord and assures him that God will protect him from danger (vv. 1-13). In vv. 14-16 God himself promises to keep his loyal follower safe.

tn Heb “[O] one who lives.”

tn Traditionally “the Most High.”

sn The Lord is compared here to a bird who protects its young under the shadow of its wings (see v. 4).

sn The divine name used here is “Shaddai” (שַׁדַּי, shadday; see also Ps 68:14). Shaddai (or El Shaddai) is the mighty king (sovereign judge) of the world who grants life/blesses and kills/judges. In Genesis he blesses the patriarchs with fertility and promises numerous descendants. Outside Genesis he both blesses/protects and takes away life/happiness.

tn Heb “for you, the Lord, my shelter, the Most High, you have made your dwelling place.”

tn Or “confront.”

tn For this sense of the Hebrew term נגע see Ps 38:11.

tn Heb “your tent.”

10 tn Heb “for his angels he will command concerning you.”

11 tn Heb “in all your ways.”

12 tn Heb “so your foot will not strike a stone.”

13 tn Heb “walk upon.”

14 tn Or perhaps “cobra” (see Ps 58:4).

15 tn The words “the Lord says” are supplied in the translation to clarify that the words which follow are the Lord’s oracle of assurance.

16 tn Or “make him secure” (Heb “set him on high”).

17 tn Heb “because he knows my name” (see Ps 9:10).

18 tn Heb “length of days.”