Psalms 91:1-8

1 (90-1) <The praise of a canticle for David.> He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.

2 (90-2) He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust.

3 (90-3) For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word.

4 (90-4) He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust.

5 (90-5) His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.

6 (90-6) Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil.

7 (90-7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 (90-8) But thou shalt consider with thy eyes: and shalt see the reward of the wicked.

Psalms 91:1-8 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."