Devine Scripture

Psalms 91:4

What does Psalms 91:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 91:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 91:4 means

Here, God's protection is beautifully likened to a bird sheltering its young under its wings. This image speaks of tender, intimate care and comprehensive safety. Just as a mother bird covers her chicks, God provides a secure refuge, inviting us to "take refuge" under His powerful and loving watch. Beyond this imagery, God's "truth" is presented as a "shield and a buckler." This signifies that His faithfulness and unchanging character are our ultimate defense, protecting us from all forms of attack and ensuring His promises will stand true.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

He will cover thee with his pinions, And under his wings shalt thou take refuge: His truth is a shield and a buckler.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

He will cover thee with his pinions, And under his wings shalt thou take refuge: His truth is a shield and a buckler.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

You will be covered by his feathers; under his wings you will be safe: his good faith will be your salvation.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

With His pinion He covereth thee over, And under His wings thou dost trust, A shield and buckler <FI>is<Fi> His truth.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Upon an instrument of ten strings, upon the psaltery: with a canticle upon the harp.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou find refuge: his truth is a shield and buckler.

Context

This verse visually elaborates on the nature of God's protection, moving beyond mere deliverance to intimate care. The imagery of wings and the assertion of God's truth as a shield deepen the understanding of His faithful guardianship. It provides a comforting picture before the psalm returns to listing more specific terrors in the following verses, strengthening the reader's confidence in God's committed defense.

v.3For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence.

v.4This passage

v.5Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 23:37

    O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

  • Psalms 138:2

    I will worship toward thy holy temple, And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

  • Psalms 57:1

    Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; For my soul taketh refuge in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge, Until these calamities be overpast.

  • Titus 1:2

    in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;

  • Psalms 35:2

    Take hold of shield and buckler, And stand up for my help.

  • Genesis 15:1

    After these things the word of Jehovah came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

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