Psalmen 91:1-6

1 Die in de schuilplaats des Allerhoogsten is gezeten, die zal vernachten in de schaduw des Almachtigen.

2 Ik zal tot den HEERE zeggen: Mijn Toevlucht en mijn Burg! mijn God, op Welken ik vertrouw!

3 Want Hij zal u redden van den strik des vogelvangers, van de zeer verderfelijke pestilentie.

4 Hij zal u dekken met Zijn vlerken, en onder Zijn vleugelen zult gij betrouwen; Zijn waarheid is een rondas en beukelaar.

5 Gij zult niet vrezen voor den schrik des nachts, voor den pijl, die des daags vliegt;

6 Voor de pestilentie, die in de donkerheid wandelt; voor het verderf, dat op den middag verwoest.

Psalmen 91:1-6 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."