Psalm 91: Translation and Notes

Psalm 91
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1 He that dwelleth in covert of the Most High abideth in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of Jehovah, My refuge and my fortress, my God; I will confide in him.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the fowler’s snare, from mischiefs’ plague.
4 With his feathers will he cover thee, and under his wings shalt thou trust: a shield and buckler [is] his truth.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for terror by night, for arrow flying by day,
6 For plague walking in darkness, for destruction waiting at noon.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and a myriad at thy right hand; to thee it shall not come nigh.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the requital of wicked [men].
9 Because thou hast made Jehovah, my refuge, the Most High, thy habitation,
10 No evil shall befal thee, and no plague shall draw near thy tent.
11 For his angels he will charge concerning thee, to keep thee in all thy ways;
12 Upon [their] hands they shall bear thee, lest thou strike against the stone thy foot.
13 On lion and adder thou shalt tread; thou shalt trample young lion and dragon.
14 Because he hath set his love on me, I too will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knoweth my name.
15 He shall call me, and I will answer him; with him [am] I in trouble; I will deliver him and glorify him.
16 [With] length of days will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
Notes on Psalm 91
This psalm introduces Messiah owning Jehovah, the God of Israel, as His God, Whose is supreme power and faithfulness; and hence delivered at length and set on high. “Jehovah reigneth.”
The N. T. clearly intimates that Messiah takes this place under the Most High and the Almighty, identifying both with the Jehovah God of Israel in the face of Satan’s evil and power. It is a sort of dialogue in which Messiah in verse 2 answers the apothegm of verse 1 and assures Israel of deliverance in verses 3-8. Then Israel rejoices in verses 9-13, and Jehovah puts His seal to it in verses 14-16.