91:1 As for you, the one who lives 2 in the shelter of the sovereign One, 3
and resides in the protective shadow 4 of the mighty king 5 –
91:2 I say this about the Lord, my shelter and my stronghold,
my God in whom I trust –
91:3 he will certainly rescue you from the snare of the hunter 6
and from the destructive plague.
1 sn Psalm 91. In this psalm an individual (perhaps a priest) addresses one who has sought shelter in the Lord and assures him that God will protect him from danger (vv. 1-13). In vv. 14-16 God himself promises to keep his loyal follower safe.
2 tn Heb “[O] one who lives.”
3 tn Traditionally “the Most High.”
4 sn The Lord is compared here to a bird who protects its young under the shadow of its wings (see v. 4).
5 sn The divine name used here is “Shaddai” (שַׁדַּי, shadday; see also Ps 68:14). Shaddai (or El Shaddai) is the mighty king (sovereign judge) of the world who grants life/blesses and kills/judges. In Genesis he blesses the patriarchs with fertility and promises numerous descendants. Outside Genesis he both blesses/protects and takes away life/happiness.
6 tn The word refers specifically to a fowler (or hunter of birds).