Read all of Psalm 91
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
9If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
14The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”
Notes from the NLT Study Bible
Ps 91 This wisdom psalm expresses confidence in the Almighty God, who provides a shelter for those who take refuge in him. They receive redemption, life, and glory from the Lord, who loves and cares for those who seek him.
91:1-2 The Lord is an ancient shelter, open to those who seek
refuge in him.
91:1 The Most High is an ancient title that expresses the Lord’s exalted status (Gen 14:19) as the ruler and protector of the godly.
91:3-4 The psalmist invites the godly to trust in the Lord and find protection in him.
91:3 God protects the godly from deadly disease and even a destructive word.
91:4 The armor might refer to a body shield, while protection refers to a small shield worn on the arm.
91:5-8 The godly should not be afraid, because the Lord watches over them. These promises do not guarantee an escape from trouble, but they create an expectation of the Lord’s goodness.
91:6 The reference to disease represents any kind of affliction.
91:9-13 The poet again invites the godly to seek refuge in the Lord and
enjoy the benefits of divine protection.
91:11 he will order his angels: Satan cited these words when he tempted Jesus (Matt 4:6; Luke 4:10-11), but God makes this promise for those who obey him (91:14), not for those who arrogantly test him (Matt 4:4, 7).
91:14-16 The godly can trust the Lord’s protection and provision.
91:14 Those who love the Lord will obey him (Deut 30:20; 1 Jn 5:3) and seek his protection (91:1; 145:18).
91:15 The Lord promises to answer the prayers of his people. l The Psalter often speaks of people honoring the Lord (50:15); here, God promises to honor the godly who risk everything for his sake (62:7; 71:21; 84:11).
91:16 A long life on earth represents just a small part of the Lord’s goodness and eternal friendship (23:6).