Psalms 91:1

Whoever takes refuge with God will find himself under the protection of an Almighty guardian. "He shall be treated as God's guest… His Almighty Power shall be spread around him during the night of trouble and peril. Loving faith on man's part shall be met by faithful love on God's part" (Kay). Such is the sense of the A.V., which is certainly the most natural rendering of the verse. It is however rejected by most modern commentators as tautological. The predicate, it is said, simply repeats the subject, for the verb shall abide, or lodge, does not bear the emphatic meaning of permanent sojourn. But the verb is not used of temporary sojourn only (cp. Psalms 25:13), and if the emphasis is on the words in the shelter of the Almighty, the second line is not merely a repetition of the first.

Other renderings which have been suggested are (1) As one that dwelleth in the covert of the Most High, that lodgeth in the shadow of the Almighty, I will say, &c. Cp. R.V. marg. This construction however is harsh and cumbrous. (2) With the insertion of a word at the beginning of Psalms 91:1, Happy is the man that dwelleth … that lodgeth … that saith…; an emendation plausible enough in itself, but without any support from the Ancient Versions. (3) With a slight change of text, He that dwelleth … that lodgeth … saith of Jehovah. This emendation has much to commend it. It is supported by the LXX (ἐρεῖ), and it gets rid of the supposed tautology, as well as of the somewhat perplexing first person I will sayin Psalms 91:2.

But it is unnecessary if Psalms 91:1 is explained as above; the gain to the sense is doubtful; and the elimination of the first person destroys a feature of the Psalm. Its use here is supported by its recurrence in Psalms 91:9.

secret place Covert or hiding-place. Cp. Psalms 27:5; Psalms 31:20; Psalms 32:7, &c.

the shadow Shelter or protection. The figure is probably (cp. Psalms 91:4) derived from the care of the mother-bird for her young (Psalms 17:8, &c.), rather than from the hospitable roof (Genesis 19:8), or sheltering rock (Isaiah 32:2).

the Most High … the Almighty Significant titles, chosen to emphasise the power of the Sovereign Ruler of the world to defend His people.