Psalms 91:1

Psalm 91 ¹ 

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  –

Psalms 91:9-10

91:9 For you have taken refuge in the Lord,

my shelter, the sovereign One. ⁶ 

91:10 No harm will overtake ⁷  you;

no illness ⁸  will come near your home. ⁹ 

[91:1]  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.

[91:1]  ² tn Heb “[O] one who lives.”

[91:1]  ³ tn Traditionally “the Most High.”

[91:1]  ⁴ sn The Lord is compared here to a bird who protects its young under the shadow of its wings (see v. 4).

[91:1]  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.

[91:9]  ⁶ tn Heb “for you, the Lord, my shelter, the Most High, you have made your dwelling place.”

[91:10]  ⁷ tn Or “confront.”

[91:10]  ⁸ tn For this sense of the Hebrew term נגע see Ps 38:11.

[91:10]  ⁹ tn Heb “your tent.”