Psalms 91
What Happens in This Chapter
This psalm says that people who stay close to God are kept safe. It names many dangers—traps, sickness, arrows, wild animals—and says God guards his people through them. At the end, God himself speaks and promises to answer, rescue, and honor the one who loves him.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
1Anyone who stays close to God Most High is safe. He rests in God's shadow. God Most High is a name for God, the strongest one of all.
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, "You are my safe place. You are my strong tower. You are my God, and I trust you."
3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
3God will save you from the hunter's hidden trap. He will save you from deadly sickness.
A "fowler" in the King James Bible is a person who catches birds with nets and traps.
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, the way a bird covers her babies. Under his wings you will be safe. God always keeps his word. That guards you like a shield.
The King James Bible says "shield and buckler." A buckler is a small round shield held in the hand.
5Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
5You will not be afraid of scary things at night. You will not fear arrows that fly by day.
6Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
6You will not fear sickness that spreads in the dark. You will not fear trouble that ruins things at noon.
7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
7A thousand people may fall beside you. Ten thousand may fall at your right hand. But it will not come near you.
8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
8You will only watch it with your own eyes. You will see wicked people get what they have earned.
9Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
9You have made the LORD your home. He is God Most High, and he is my safe place.
10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
10So nothing evil will happen to you. No sickness will come near your house.
11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
11God will tell his angels to take care of you. They will guard you 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. Then you will not hurt 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 the lion and the snake. You will walk right over them.
The King James Bible says "adder" and "dragon." Both words here mean snakes, not a fire-breathing dragon.
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, "He has set his love on me. So I will save him. He knows my name. So I will lift him up to safety."
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"He will call to me, and I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble. I will save him and give him honor."
16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
16"I will give him a long, full life. I will show him how I save."
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