Psalms 91

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 91

1¶ He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence.

4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler.

5Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day;

6[Nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday.

7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee.

8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9¶ Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation;

10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 91 extols the divine protection afforded to those who dwell in the Most High. It assures believers of deliverance from various dangers, including pestilence and terror, affirming that no evil shall befall them. The psalm highlights God's promise to send angels for their safekeeping and to grant them long life and salvation.

Medium Summary

Psalm 91 describes the profound security and protection experienced by those who make the Lord their refuge and habitation. It begins by declaring that one who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty, finding Him to be a fortress. The psalm promises deliverance from the fowler's snare, noisome pestilence, and all forms of terror, whether by day or night. It asserts that thousands may fall around the faithful, yet harm will not come nigh them, and they will only witness the recompense of the wicked. Furthermore, the Lord pledges to give His angels charge over them, ensuring their safety and preventing them from stumbling. The psalm concludes with God's direct promise to deliver, answer, be with in trouble, honour, satisfy with long life, and show salvation to those who set their love upon Him and know His name.

Long Summary

Psalm 91 opens with a declaration of profound security for those who reside in the "secret place of the most High," affirming that they shall find shelter under the "shadow of the Almighty." The psalmist expresses personal trust, proclaiming the Lord as his refuge and fortress. The chapter then enumerates a series of divine protections, promising deliverance from the fowler's snare and the noisome pestilence. It vividly describes God's covering like a bird's feathers, offering a shield of truth against all threats. The faithful are assured they need not fear the terrors of night, the arrows of day, the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. Even amidst widespread calamity, where thousands fall, the promise stands that harm will not approach the believer, who will only observe the judgment of the wicked. The psalm reinforces these assurances by stating that because one has made the Most High their habitation, no evil or plague shall come near their dwelling. A significant promise is the deployment of angels, who are given charge to keep the faithful in all their ways, bearing them up to prevent injury. This divine empowerment extends to treading upon dangerous creatures like lions and adders. The latter half of the psalm shifts to God's direct voice, articulating His commitment to those who love and know His name. He promises to deliver them, set them on high, answer their calls, and be present with them in times of trouble. The psalm culminates with God's pledge to honour them, satisfy them with long life, and ultimately reveal His salvation. This chapter serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering protection and faithfulness towards His devoted followers.

Core Concepts

  • Divine DwellingThe concept of abiding in the "secret place of the most High" and under the "shadow of the Almighty" signifies a state of intimate communion and constant reliance on God for safety and refuge.
  • Angelic ProtectionGod promises to give His "angels charge" over the faithful, illustrating a supernatural guardianship where celestial beings are deployed to keep them safe in all their ways and prevent harm.
  • Deliverance from PerilThe psalm repeatedly assures protection from various dangers, including snares, pestilence, terror, and destruction, emphasizing God's active intervention to preserve His people from physical and spiritual threats.
  • God's Faithfulness as ShieldThe "truth" of God is described as a "shield and buckler," highlighting His unwavering reliability and promises as the ultimate defense against all adversaries and fears.
  • Immunity from CalamityDespite widespread destruction or plague, the faithful are promised that "it shall not come nigh thee," illustrating a divine exemption from the common afflictions that befall others.
  • Covenant of Love and KnowledgeGod's direct promises in the latter verses are contingent upon the individual setting their "love upon me" and having "known my name," indicating a reciprocal relationship of devotion and intimate understanding.
  • Long Life and SalvationThe psalm concludes with God's pledge to satisfy the faithful with "long life" and to "shew him my salvation," encompassing both temporal well-being and eternal deliverance.