Psalm 91, My Eternal Refuge

This anonymous psalm focuses on YHWH as one's refuge, a place to hide in times of trouble. (The Septuagint introduces this as "a David psalm" -- see here -- and it surely sounds like David, but in the Masoretic Text it is anonymous.)

Psalm 91:1-2, Rest, Refuge

 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High 

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

 I will say of the LORD, 

"He is my refuge and my fortress, 

my God, in whom I trust."

God is identified as a shelter, a refuge, a fortress.

Psalm 91:3-4, Under his wings

 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare

 and from the deadly pestilence.

 He will cover you with his feathers, 

and under his wings you will find refuge; 

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

The voice changes from that of one relying on God to the psalmist encouraging the first voice. As Alter points out, this psalm has three voices: it begins with the man relying on God, followed by the poet who encourages this reliance, and finally ends with the voice of God Himself.

The one who relies on God is like a small chick, hiding under the wings of a more powerful protective mother. Towards the end of his ministry, Jesus uses this metaphor in Matthew 23:37, when he expresses the desire to pull Jerusalem under his wings.

Psalm 91:5-6, Night, day, darkness, midday

 You will not fear the terror of night,

 nor the arrow that flies by day,

 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, 

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Night, day, darkness, midday -- no time of day will be a threat. The vague threats at night and darkness  -- terrors and pestilence -- won't harm one. Neither will the daytime threats -- arrows or plagues.

Psalm 91:7, Even if ten thousand fall

 A thousand may fall at your side, 

ten thousand at your righthand, 

but it will not come near you.

This is a tricolon, three lines (stichs) where the first two are essentially parallel, leading to a final, dramatic contrast: those fall, those fall, you won't!

Psalm 91:7-8, But the wicked

 You will only observe with your eyes 

and see the punishment of the wicked.

In the midst of battle, the psalmist is protected. But he is allowed to see the punishment of those who do not trust in YHWH.

Psalm 91:9-13, No harm

 If you make the Most High your dwelling--

even the LORD, who is my refuge--

 then no harm will befall you, 

no disaster will come near your tent.

 For he will command his angels concerning you 

to guard you in all your ways;

 they will lift you up in their hands, 

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; 

you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

This passage promises protection in all circumstances. God's angels protect his followers, preventing them from harm -- from falling against rocks on their travels or being attacked by deadly animals along the way.

It is good to have the message of Job as a balance to this passage, for even under God's protection, there is still calamity and earthly defeat. In the temptations of Jesus, Satan cites this passage (Matthew 4:5-7) when he suggests that Jesus throw himself off the temple roof. Jesus's response demonstrates a deeper understanding of these claims.

Psalm 91:14-16, Long life and salvation

 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;

 I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

 He will call upon me,

and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him

and show him my salvation."

The psalm ends with the voice of YHWH, Who looks over and protects those who come to Him, who love Him and worship Him.

Caroline Cobb has an album on the psalms. (You can find Caroline Cobb on Spotify here.) Her rendition of Psalm 91 is My Refuge, My Fortress.