Discovery BoxPsalms 91:1 
Context91:1 As for you, the one who lives 2 in the shelter of the sovereign One, 3
and resides in the protective shadow 4 of the mighty king 5 –
Psalms 91:9-16
Context91:9 For you have taken refuge in the Lord,
my shelter, the sovereign One. 6
91:10 No harm will overtake 7 you;
no illness 8 will come near your home. 9
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.
“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.
1 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.
2 tn Heb “[O] one who lives.”
3 tn Traditionally “the Most High.”
4 sn The Lord is compared here to a bird who protects its young under the shadow of its wings (see v. 4).
5 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.
6 tn Heb “for you, the
7 tn Or “confront.”
8 tn For this sense of the Hebrew term נגע see Ps 38:11.
9 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
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.”
