Psalm 91
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This article uses the Hebrew (Masoretic) Psalms numbering. Psalm 91 in Septuagint/Vulgate numbering would correspond to Psalm 92 in Hebrew numbering.
Psalm 91
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High"
Psalm of protection
Ivory from Genoels-Elderen left.JPG
Late 8th century ivory plaque with Christ treading on the beasts, illustrating verse 13[1]
Other name
Psalm 90
"Qui habitat"
Language Hebrew (original)
Psalm 91 is the 91st psalm of the Book of Psalms, generally known in English by its first verse in the King James Version: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." In the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and in its Latin translation Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 90 in a slightly different numbering system. In Latin, it is known as 'Qui habitat".[2] As a psalm of protection, it is commonly invoked in times of hardship. Though no author is mentioned in the Hebrew text of this psalm, Jewish tradition ascribes it to Moses, with David compiling it in his Book of Psalms. The Greek Septuagint translation of the Old Testament attributes it to David.[3]
The psalm is a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Anglican and Protestant liturgies. The complete psalm and selected verses have been set to music often, notably by Heinrich Schütz and Felix Mendelssohn, who used verses for his motet Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen. The psalm has been paraphrased in hymns.
Contents
1 Background and themes
2 Text
2.1 Hebrew Bible version
2.2 King James Version
3 Uses
3.1 Judaism
3.2 New Testament
3.3 Western Christianity
3.4 Eastern Orthodoxy
4 Musical settings
4.1 Classical
4.2 Contemporary Christian music
5 In popular culture
6 References
7 Sources
8 External links
Background and themes
The Midrash states that Psalm 91 was composed by Moses on the day he completed the building of the Tabernacle in the desert. The verses describe Moses' own experience entering the Tabernacle and being enveloped by the Divine cloud.[4] Midrash Tehillim and Zohar teach that Moses composed this psalm while ascending into the cloud hovering over Mount Sinai, at which time he recited these words as protection from the angels of destruction.[5]
In Jewish thought, Psalm 91 conveys the themes of God's protection and rescue from danger.[6] The Talmud (Shevu'ot 15b) calls this psalm the "song of plagues" (shir shel pega'im or shir shel nega'im), for "one who recites it with faith in God will be helped by Him in time of danger".[4] Since the times of the Geonim, this psalm was recited to drive away demons and evil spirits.[7] According to midrashim, the psalm references many types of demons that threaten man, including the "Terror", "Arrow", "Pestilence", and "Destruction" mentioned in verses 5–6.[8] The psalm was written in amulets by both Jews and Christians from the Late Antique period.[9][10]
Modern-day Christians see the psalm as a source of comfort and protection, even in times of suffering.[11]
Verse 13, in the King James Version "Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet", was the origin of the iconography of Christ treading on the beasts, seen in the Late Antique period and revived in Carolingian and Anglo-Saxon art.
Text
Hebrew Bible version
Following is the Hebrew text of Psalm 91:
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