Psalms 91:3

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 91:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence.
Psalms 91:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 91

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, etc.] These are the words of the psalmist, either speaking to himself, for the encouragement of his own faith and trust in the Lord; or to the man that dwells in the secret place, and under the shadow of the most High; which latter seems most agreeable; though Cocceius thinks they are the words of God in one of his Persons, speaking of another divine Person that should deliver such that trust in him: the Targum makes them to be the words of David to Solomon his son. By the “fowler” and his “snare” may be meant either Saul, who laid wait for David, spread snares for him, and hunted him as a partridge on the mountains, from whom he was…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler - The snare or gin set for catching birds; meaning, here, that God would save him from the purposes of wicked people; such purposes as might be compared with the devices employed to catch birds. On the meaning of the figure used here, see the notes at Psalms 18:5. And from the noisome pestilence - The “fatal” pestilence; the pestilence that spreads death in its march. That is, he can prevent its coming upon you; or, he can save you from its ravages, while others are dying around you. This promise is not to be understood as absolute, or as meaning that no one who fears God will ever fall by the pestilence - for good people “do” die at…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Pestilence - From the pestilence, which like a fowler's snare takes men suddenly and unexpectedly. Psalms 91:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“91:3-4 The psalmist invites the godly to trust in the Lord and find protection in him. 91:3 God protects the godly from deadly disease and even a destructive word.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“snare: Psa 124:7, Psa 141:9; Pro 7:23; Ecc 9:12; Hos 9:8; Amo 3:5; Ti1 6:9; Ti2 2:26 and from: Psa 91:6; Num 14:37, Num 14:38, Num 16:46-48; Sa2 24:15; Job 5:10-22 Psalms 91:4”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“יקושׁ, as in Pro 6:5; Jer 5:26, is the dullest toned from for יקושׁ or יוקשׁ, Psa 124:7. What is meant is death, or "he who has the power of death," Heb 2:14, cf. Ti2 2:26. "The snare of the fowler" is a figure for the peril of one's life, Ecc 9:12. In connection with Psa 91:4 we have to call to mind Deu 32:11 : God protects His own as an eagle with its large strong wing. אברה is nom. unitatis, a pinion, to אבר, Isa 40:31; and the Hiph. הסך, from סכך, with the dative of the object, like the Kal in Psa 140:8, signifies to afford covering, protection. The ἅπαξ λεγ. סחרה, according to its stem-word, is that which encompasses anything round about, and here beside צנּה, a weapon of defence…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification