Psalms 91

1 He who sitteth under the shelter of the Most High Maketh his abode in the shadow of the Almighty.

Those who live under the protection of God Almighty, will be able to rest [safely] under his care.

2 I say to the LORD, Thou art my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust.

I will declare to Yahweh, “You protect me; [you are like] a fort [MET] in which I am safe. You are my God, the one in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the wasting pestilence;

Yahweh will rescue you from all hidden traps and save you from deadly diseases.

4 He will cover thee with his feathers, And under his wings shalt thou find refuge; His faithfulness shall be thy shield and buckler.

He will shield/protect you [like a bird shields/protects its chicks] [MET] with/under her wings. You will be safe (in his care/because he takes care of you). His faithfully doing what he has promised is like a shield [MET] that will protect you.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night, Nor of the arrow that flieth by day;

You will not be afraid of things that happen during the night that could (terrorize you/cause you to be very afraid), or of arrows that [your enemies will shoot at you] during the day.

6 Nor of the pestilence that walketh in darkness, Nor of the plague that destroyeth at noonday.

You will not be afraid of (plagues/widespread sicknesses) that demons cause when they attack people at night, or of other [evil forces] that kill people at midday.

7 A thousand shall fall by thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But thee it shall not touch.

Even if 1,000 people fall [dead] alongside you, even if 10,000 [people are dying] around you, you will not be harmed.

8 Thou shalt only behold with thine eyes, And see the recompense of the wicked.

Look and see that (wicked people are being punished/God is punishing wicked people)!

9 Because thou hast made the LORD thy refuge, And the Most High thy habitation,

If you allow Yahweh to protect you, if you trust God Almighty to (shelter/take care of) you,

10 No evil shall befall thee, Nor any plague come near thy dwelling.

nothing evil will happen to you; no plague will come near your house,

11 For he will give his angels charge over thee, To guard thee in all thy ways.

because Yahweh will command his angels to protect you wherever you go.

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

They will hold you up with their hands, with the result that you will not hurt your foot on a big stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and the adder; The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under foot.

You will be [kept safe from being harmed by your enemies] [MET]; [it will be as though] you are stepping on lions and poisonous snakes [without them harming you!]

14 “Because he loveth me, I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knoweth my name.

[Yahweh says], “I will rescue those who love me, I will protect them because they (acknowledge that I am Yahweh/know me).

15 When he calleth upon me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and bring him to honor.

When they call out to me, I will answer them. I will help them when they are experiencing trouble; I will rescue them and honor them.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, And show him my salvation.”

I will reward them by enabling them to live a long time, and I will save them.”