Psalms
Chapter 91
This psalm describes the safety of a person who makes God their shelter. It names the dangers that person will not need to fear — traps, disease, arrows, night terrors, lions, and snakes — and promises that God's angels will guard them. In the last three verses God himself speaks, promising to answer, rescue, honor, and satisfy the one who loves him.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
1Whoever lives close to God Most High, in his safe hiding place, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
2I say about the LORD, "He is my safe place and my strong tower. He is my God, and I trust him."
3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
3He will surely save you from the hidden trap the bird catcher sets, and from deadly disease.
4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
4He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will be safe. His faithfulness is your shield and armor.
A "buckler" is a small shield strapped to the arm. The verse names two kinds of protection: a shield and a heavier guard, like a wall.
5Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
5You will not be afraid of frightening things in the night, or of the arrow that flies by day.
6Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
6You will not fear the disease that moves through the dark, or the ruin that strikes at midday.
7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
7A thousand may fall beside you, and ten thousand at your right hand. But it will not reach you.
8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
8You will only watch with your own eyes and see the wicked get the punishment they earned.
In the KJV, "reward" here means what someone has coming to them, good or bad. For the wicked, that means punishment.
9Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
9You have made the LORD your home. The Most High, who is my safe place, is where you live.
10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
10So nothing evil will happen to you. No plague will come near the place you live.
11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
11He will order his angels to watch over you and keep you safe everywhere you go.
12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12They will lift you up in their hands, so you do not hit your foot on a stone.
13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
13You will step on lions and on poisonous snakes. You will trample young lions and serpents under your feet.
"Adder" is a poisonous snake. "Dragon" in the KJV can mean a large serpent or a snake, not a fire-breathing creature from stories.
14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
14God says, "Because he loves me, I will rescue him. I will keep him safe, because he knows my name."
15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
15"When he calls to me, I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and honor him."
16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
16"I will satisfy him with a long life, and I will show him how I save."
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