Psalms 91:1-9

1 You who live in the shelter of 'Elyon, who spend your nights in the shadow of Shaddai,

2 who say to ADONAI, "My refuge! My fortress! My God, in whom I trust!"

3 he will rescue you from the trap of the hunter and from the plague of calamities;

4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his truth is a shield and protection.

5 You will not fear the terrors of night or the arrow that flies by day,

6 or the plague that roams in the dark, or the scourge that wreaks havoc at noon.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it won't come near you.

8 Only keep your eyes open, and you will see how the wicked are punished.

9 For you have made ADONAI, the Most High, who is my refuge, your dwelling-place.

Psalms 91:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 91

Jarchi and others think this psalm was written by Moses {m}, as was the preceding; but the Targum ascribes it to David; as do the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions; and very probably, as is generally thought, was penned by him on occasion of the pestilence which came upon the people, through his numbering of them, 2Sa 24:1. The person all along spoken of, and to, according to the Targum, is Solomon his son; and, according to the title in the Syriac version, King Hezekiah, so Theodoret, who is called the son of David; neither of which are probable. Some think the Messiah is meant; and that the psalm contains promises of protection and safety to him, as man, from diseases, beasts of prey, evil spirits, and wicked men, under the care of angels; and this not because that Satan has applied one of these promises to him, Mt 4:6, but because they seem better to agree with him than with any other: and one part of the title of the psalm, in the Syriac version, runs thus,

``and spiritually it is called the victory of the Messiah, and of everyone that is perfected by him.''

It seems best to understand it of every godly man, who is always safe under the divine protection. The Talmudisis {n} call it Myegp ryv, "a song of the occursions", or "meetings with evil spirits."