Psalm 91

¹As for you, the one who lives in the shelter of the sovereign One,[#tn Heb “[O] one who lives.”; #tn Traditionally “the Most High.”]

and resides in the protective shadow of the mighty king –

²I say this about the Lord , my shelter and my stronghold,

my God in whom I trust –

³he will certainly rescue you from the snare of the hunter[#tn The word refers specifically to a fowler (or hunter of birds).]

and from the destructive plague.

⁴He will shelter you with his wings;[#tn Heb “put a cover over you” (see Ps 5:11).; #tc The Hebrew text has the singular, but the plural should be read. The final yod (י) of the suffix, which indicates the plural, has dropped off by haplography (note the yod [י] at the beginning of the next word).]

you will find safety under his wings.

His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall.

⁵You need not fear the terrors of the night,[#tn This probably alludes to a sneak attack by enemies in the darkness of night (see Song 3:8).]

the arrow that flies by day,

⁶the plague that comes in the darkness,

or the disease that comes at noon.

⁷Though a thousand may fall beside you,

and a multitude on your right side,

it will not reach you.

⁸Certainly you will see it with your very own eyes –

you will see the wicked paid back.

⁹For you have taken refuge in the Lord ,

my shelter, the sovereign One.

¹⁰No harm will overtake you;[#tn Or “confront.”]

no illness will come near your home.

¹¹For he will order his angels[#tn Heb “for his angels he will command concerning you.”]

to protect you in all you do.

¹²They will lift you up in their hands,

so you will not slip and fall on a stone.

¹³You will subdue a lion and a snake;[#tn Heb “walk upon.”; #tn Or perhaps “cobra” (see Ps 58:4).]

you will trample underfoot a young lion and a serpent.

¹⁴The Lord says,[#tn The words “the Lord says” are supplied in the translation to clarify that the words which follow are the Lord’s oracle of assurance.]

“Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him;

I will protect him because he is loyal to me.

¹⁵When he calls out to me, I will answer him.

I will be with him when he is in trouble;

I will rescue him and bring him honor.

¹⁶I will satisfy him with long life,[#tn Heb “length of days.”]

and will let him see my salvation.