Psalms 91

1 The praise of a canticle for David. He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.

You whose home is the shelter of God Most High, whose abode is the shadow of God Almighty,

2 He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust.

can say to the Lord, ‘My refuge, my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’

3 For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word.

For he saves you from fowler’s snare, from deadly plague,

4 He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust.

he shelters you with his pinions, and under his wings you can hide. His truth will be a shield and buckler.

5 His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.

You need not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil.

nor the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the pestilence raging at noon.

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

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand: but it will not draw near to you.

8 But thou shalt consider with thy eyes: and shalt see the reward of the wicked.

You will only look on with your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

9 Because thou, O Lord, art my hope: thou hast made the most High thy refuge.

You have made the Lord your refuge, you have made the Most High your defence.

10 There shall no evil come to thee: nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.

You will never be met by misfortune, no plague will come near your tent,

11 For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.

for he orders his angels to guard you, wherever you go.

12 In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

They will carry you with their hands, so you don’t hurt your foot on a stone.

13 Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon.

You will trample down lions and snakes, tread on young lions and cobras.

14 Because he hoped in me I will deliver him: I will protect him because he hath known my name.

‘Because of their love for me, I will deliver them, I will protect those who trust my name.

15 He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him.

I will answer their cry and be with them in trouble, bringing them forth into safety and honour.

16 I will fill him with length of days; and I will shew him my salvation.

I will give them a life of many days, I will show them my salvation.’