Psalm 91
Purpose: To promise the king protection and victory in the face of enemy attacks
Content: You say: "YHWH, you are my refuge!" and he will rescue you.
You will not be afraid – come what may – because he says: "He has clung to me, so I will give him his fill of long life."
Message: Despite appearances, the king need not fear, because YHWH gives him victory.
Author: Anonymous
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Overview Video
Poetic Features Video
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Exegetical Issues Video
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Overview
Translation
Click 'Expand' to the right to see our Close-but-Clear translation of Psalm 91.
- 1. The one living in the shelter of the Most High,
- who rests in the shade of the Almighty,
- 2. says to YHWH: “You are my refuge and fortress,
- my God, in whom I trust.”
- 3. For he will rescue you from a hunter’s trap
- and from a destructive plague.
- 4. He will cover you with his pinion;
- and you will find refuge under his wings.
- His faithfulness will be a shield and a wall.
- 5. You will not be afraid of danger of the night
- or of the arrow that flies during the day
- 6. or of the plague that moves in the deep darkness
- or of the disaster that devastates at noon.
- 7. Though a thousand fall at your side
- and ten thousand at your right side,
- to you it will not come near.
- 8. Rather, you will look with your eyes;
- and you will see wicked people’s punishment.
- 9. For [you say]: “YHWH, you are my refuge.”
- You have made the Most High your home.
- 10. Harm will not come to you,
- and disease will not reach your home,
- 11. because he will order his angels concerning you
- to protect you in all of your ways.
- 12. They will carry you in their arms
- so that your foot does not stumble on any stones.
- 13. You will tread upon a lion and a viper;
- you will trample a young lion and a serpent.
- 14. For he has clung to me, so I will rescue him;
- I will keep him safe because he knows my name.
- 15. He cries out to me, so I will answer him.
- I will be with him in trouble;
- I will rescue him and I will honour him.
- 16. I will give him his fill of long life;
- and I will show him my salvation.
The Close-but-clear translation (CBC) exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text according to how we understand its syntax and word-to-phrase-level semantics. It is not intended to be used as a stand-alone translation or base text, but as a supplement to Layer-by-Layer materials to help users make full use of these resources.
For links to other translations of Psalm 91, click here.
Verse-by-Verse
Click the link to view all of Psalm 91 Verse-by-Verse, or click on an individual verse below.
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Exegetical Issues
- The Grammar and Participants of Ps. 91:2 (Draft)
- The Discourse of Ps. 91 (Draft)
- The Grammar of Ps. 91:9 (Draft)