> [[psalm-90|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-92|Next →]] --- # Psalm 91 ## Security Under God’s Protection ### I 1 You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, ^psalm-91-1 who abide in the shade of the Almighty, 2 Say to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress, ^psalm-91-2 my God in whom I trust.” 3 He will rescue you from the fowler’s snare, ^psalm-91-3 from the destroying plague, 4 He will shelter you with his pinions, ^psalm-91-4 and under his wings you may take refuge; his faithfulness is a protecting shield. 5 You shall not fear the terror of the night ^psalm-91-5 nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, ^psalm-91-6 nor the plague that ravages at noon. 7 Though a thousand fall at your side, ^psalm-91-7 ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come. 8 You need simply watch; ^psalm-91-8 the punishment of the wicked you will see. 9 Because you have the LORD for your refuge ^psalm-91-9 and have made the Most High your stronghold, 10 No evil shall befall you, ^psalm-91-10 no affliction come near your tent. 11 For he commands his angels with regard to you, ^psalm-91-11 to guard you wherever you go. 12 With their hands they shall support you, ^psalm-91-12 lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You can tread upon the asp and the viper, ^psalm-91-13 trample the lion and the dragon. ### II 14 Because he clings to me I will deliver him; ^psalm-91-14 because he knows my name I will set him on high. 15 He will call upon me and I will answer; ^psalm-91-15 I will be with him in distress; I will deliver him and give him honor. 16 With length of days I will satisfy him, ^psalm-91-16 and fill him with my saving power. \* (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. ([[psalm-27|Ps 27]]:5]; [31:21]; [61:5]. The shade of the Almighty: lit., “the shadow of the wings of the Almighty,” cf. ([[psalm-17|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 ([[luke-04| [[luke-04|Lk 4]]:]]:10] – [11]; ([[matthew-04|Mt 4]]:6], as Satan tempts Jesus in the desert. a. (91:2) ([[psalm-18|Ps 18]]:3]; [31:3] – [4]; [42:10]; [142:6]; [2 Sm 22:3]. b. (91:4) ([[psalm-17|Ps 17]]:8]; [36:8]; [57:2]; [63:8]; [Dt 32:11]; [Ru 2:12]; ([[matthew-23|Mt 23]]:37]. c. (91:5) [Prv 3:25]; [Sg 3:8]. d. (91:6) [Dt 32:24]. e. (91:8) [Ps 92:12]. f. (91:10) [Prv 12:21]; [Dt 7:15]. g. (91:11] – [12) ([[matthew-04|Mt 4]]:6]; ([[luke-04| [[luke-04|Lk 4]]:]]:10f]. h. (91:11) [Heb 1:14]. i. (91:12) [Ps 121:3]; [Prv 3:23]. j. (91:13) [[isaiah-11|Is 11]]:8; ([[luke-10|Lk 10]]:19]. k. (91:14) ([[psalm-09|Ps 9]]:11]; [119:132]. l. (91:15) [Jer 33:3]; [Zec 13:9]. m. (91:15) [Is 43:2]. n. (91:16) [Prv 3:2]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-90|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-92|Next →]]