Psalms 91:3
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 7
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יַ֭צִּֽילְךָ
Surely he shall deliver
H5337
יַ֭צִּֽילְךָ
Surely he shall deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
3 of 7
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
Cross References
Psalms 141:9Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.Psalms 124:7Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.Proverbs 7:23Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.Proverbs 6:5Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.1 Timothy 6:9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.Ecclesiastes 9:12For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.2 Timothy 2:26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.Psalms 91:6Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.Amos 3:5Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?Hosea 9:8The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.
Historical Context
The "fowler's snare" appears throughout Psalms (124:7, 141:9) and Proverbs (6:5, 7:23) as metaphor for death's trap or enemy schemes. "Pestilence" plagued ancient world—disease without cure or prevention. These threats remain: spiritual deception and physical suffering. Jesus warned against the devil as deceiver (John 8:44). Revelation promises ultimate deliverance: no more death, disease, or deception (21:4, 22:15).
Questions for Reflection
- What "snares" (deceptions, temptations) threaten your spiritual life?
- How does "dwelling" in God (vv.1-2) provide protection from both seen and unseen dangers?
- How does Christ's victory over Satan and death guarantee believers' ultimate deliverance from all threats?
Analysis & Commentary
The promises continue: "Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence" (Hebrew ki hu yatzilkha mi-pach yaqush mid-dever havvot). Two threats: "snare of the fowler" (hidden traps) and "noisome pestilence" (deadly disease). The "fowler" hunts birds with traps—representing Satan's deceptions. "Pestilence" threatens physical life. God delivers from both spiritual and physical dangers. The assurance is grounded in dwelling with God (vv.1-2).