In Jewish thought, Psalm 91 conveys the themes of God’s protection and rescue from danger. The Talmud (Shevu’ot 15b) calls this psalm the “song of plagues” (shir shel pega’im or shir shel nega’im), for “one who recites it with faith in God will be helped by Him in time of danger”.

As a psalm of protection, it is commonly invoked in times of hardship. Though no author is mentioned in the Hebrew text of this psalm, Jewish tradition ascribes it to Moses, with David compiling it in his Book of Psalms.

Pestilence means a deadly and overwhelming disease that affects an entire community. The Black Plague, a disease that killed over thirty percent of Europe’s population, was certainly a pestilence.

Bible Gateway Psalm 91 : He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will rest in the shadow of the Almighty

I will say of the Lord:

He is my refuge and my fortress, my God

In whom I trust.”

א  יֹשֵׁב, בְּסֵתֶר עֶלְיוֹן;    בְּצֵל שַׁדַּי, יִתְלוֹנָן.

ב  אֹמַר–לַיהוָה, מַחְסִי וּמְצוּדָתִי;    אֱלֹהַי, אֶבְטַח-בּוֹ.

“Yoshev B’seter Elyon

B’tseil Shadai Yitlonan

Omar Ladoshem 

Nafshi Um’tsudati

Elohai Eftach Bo”

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