Here is what we will be studying tomorrow nite at Holy Cross, Psalm 91
Introduction
Unlike the other Psalms we’ve studied so far, this Psalm gives no author or context, other than what is provided in its verses. There isn’t much. It proclaims a sense of assurance for the writer, to the listener, of the ways that the Lord (the “Most High,” often a Canaanite term for God) protects those who put their faith in God. While there are many questions as to the purpose and context of this Psalm, it remains a favorite among anyone who seeks comfort and assurance in God’s protection. [see page 2 to read together]
What shape is it?
Unlike some psalms, which have an obvious refrain (“se-lah”), this one does not. There is a certain parallelism of ideas between verses 9 (making the Most High a refuge), 10 (safety from harm), 11-12 (angels will protect) and 13 (safety so strong you can tread on the lion and the serpent). This provides us a list of reassurances of God’s protective presence. There may be a similar parallelism in verses 3-8, but it is not as pronounced, although such parallelism is probably most apparent here in verses 3, 5, 6, 8. Verses 4 and 7, however, are organized with a very different, triple-line structure.
The Psalm begins and ends with verses 1-2 and verses 14-16. It introduces the Psalm from the “first-person” perspective, “I will say of the Lord…” The NIV and the NRSV prefer to translate this part with the “I” but other versions choose to translate it as “he,” in the 3rd-person perspective. Verses 14-16 then speak from the Lord’s perspective, “I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name…”
The translation of verses 2 and 14-16 are in quotes, although the original Hebrew manuscripts did not contain any types of punctuation or even spaces between the words and letters. The knowledge of how it ought to be punctuated was passed on orally. Quotation marks are not used in the ancient Greek version either, but have to be inferred from the text . Not even the Masoretic Hebrew Scriptures (translated back into Hebrew in the Middle Ages) used punctuation as we have today, although they used a different form of punctuation that would tell a reader where to anticipate where clauses start and end.
Taking the Psalm in total, we might read it as the following: 1-2 is an introduction that proclaims one person’s confidence in the Lord (I). Verses 3-13 is telling other persons (you) about what the Lord does to protect. Verses 14-16 is a reassurance directly from the mouth of God.
What is it? Genre and History of Tradition
Jewish
Royal Psalm: Some have ascribed this as a “royal psalm” for several reasons. The Greek version (Septuagint) has a heading which says that it is a Psalm of David, while other versions say it is a it is a dialogue between David and his son the future King Solomon. Others suggest that it may have been recited for a king before he went out to battle, as a defense against spells and demons (the word “pestilence” in verse 6 was translated by the Septuagint as “word” or “spell” and a “demon” (Oxford Bible Commentary, 391).
Entrance Liturgy: It also has been suggested as a form of “entrance liturgy” spoken by a priest to the worshipper. Others believe that this might have been a part of the rites for a Jewish convert, who has now chosen YHWH as his/her protector.
Christian
Verses 11-12 are reflected in the temptation narrative in Mt 4:6 and Lk 4:10-11. For many Christians, this has messianic meaning. This Psalm has been a favorite of Christians around the world, as a reminder of God’s protection and benevolence even when inscrutable, fearful evil is stalking us.
The Revised Standard Version is hailed by scholars as being more accurate than the NRSV. It is not clear whether there is a dialogue between verses 1-13 and 14-16, however the changes of person and exclamations interrupt this psalm.
Theological Applications (all of them are up for discussion!)
Uncontrollable Evil: This Psalm calls for God’s protection against the kind of evil that seems much more powerful than we are. What do you think? If God promises such protection, why does evil befall believers? When have you been protected by God “against all odds?” (Serendipity Bible for Groups, 763)
Images of God/the imago dei: This Psalm contains several images of God, including a mother bird (eagle or hen), one who casts a protective shadow, benevolent towards those who seek God’s refuge, faithful towards us, a protector/shield/force-field, sender of angels, deflector, one who empowers us… What are some other images of God you can find in this Psalm? In what way(s) have you experienced God as one of these, or have you experienced God in other ways? How are we in the imago dei and not in the imago dei? In what ways do you struggle to live in the image of God?
Psalm 91 (RSV translation from www.crosswalk.com) Let’s find 3 people (A, B and C) to read the following together.
A 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty,
B 2 will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust."
A 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 4 he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.
B 9 Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your habitation, 10 no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. 11 For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
C 14 Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
Sources:
• Barton, John and John Muddiman. The Oxford Bible Commentary. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001).
• http://www.crosswalk.com/, Revised Standard Version.
• The Serendipity Bible for Groups: New International Version. (Littleton, CO: Serendipity House, 1988).
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