Psalms 91:4
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Original Language Analysis
יָ֣סֶךְ
He shall cover
H5526
יָ֣סֶךְ
He shall cover
Strong's:
H5526
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect
וְתַֽחַת
H8478
וְתַֽחַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
4 of 9
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כְּנָפָ֣יו
and under his wings
H3671
כְּנָפָ֣יו
and under his wings
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
5 of 9
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
תֶּחְסֶ֑ה
shalt thou trust
H2620
תֶּחְסֶ֑ה
shalt thou trust
Strong's:
H2620
Word #:
6 of 9
to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in
צִנָּ֖ה
shall be thy shield
H6793
צִנָּ֖ה
shall be thy shield
Strong's:
H6793
Word #:
7 of 9
a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness)
Cross References
Psalms 57:1Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.Psalms 61:4I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.Psalms 17:8Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,Deuteronomy 32:11As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:Psalms 35:2Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.Genesis 15:1After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.Matthew 23:37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!Ruth 2:12The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.Titus 1:2In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;Mark 13:31Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Historical Context
Psalm 91 is traditionally associated with Moses and the wilderness wandering, though authorship is uncertain. The imagery of divine protection would resonate with Israel's experience of God's sheltering presence during 40 years of desert vulnerability. The dual metaphors of bird and warrior reflect ancient Near Eastern royal imagery where kings were both nurturers and protectors of their people.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you experienced God's protection as both tender (feathers/wings) and strong (shield/buckler)?
- How does God's <em>emet</em> (faithfulness) function as your shield in spiritual warfare today?
Analysis & Commentary
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust—This imagery draws from the Hebrew אֵבְרָה (evrah, pinions/feathers) and כָּנָף (kanaph, wings), depicting God as a protective mother bird sheltering her young. Jesus echoed this metaphor in Matthew 23:37, longing to gather Jerusalem as a hen gathers her chicks. The tender imagery contrasts sharply with the military language that follows.
His truth shall be thy shield and buckler—The Hebrew אֱמֶת (emet, truth/faithfulness) becomes defensive armor: צִנָּה (tsinnah, large shield) and סֹחֵרָה (socherah, buckler/small shield). God's covenant faithfulness provides both comprehensive protection (large shield) and close-combat defense (buckler). Paul later spiritualized this in Ephesians 6:16 as the "shield of faith." The psalmist moves from nurturing imagery to battle imagery, showing God protects both tenderly and powerfully.