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Psalms

About this book
Psalm 91

1 As for you, the one who lives in the shelter of the Most High, and resides in the protective shadow of the Sovereign One— 2 I say this about the Lord, my shelter and my stronghold, my God in whom I trust— 3 he will certainly rescue you from the snare of the hunter and from the destructive plague. 4 He will shelter you with his wings; you will find safety under his wings. His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall.⁠ 5 You need not fear the terrors of the night, the arrow that flies by day,⁠ 6 the plague that stalks in the darkness, or the disease that ravages at noon. 7 Though a thousand may fall beside you, and a multitude on your right side, it will not reach you. 8 Certainly you will see it with your very own eyes—you will see the wicked paid back. 9 For you have taken refuge in the Lord, my shelter, the Most High. 10 No harm will overtake you; no illness will come near your home. 11 For he will order his angels to protect you in all you do.⁠ 12 They will lift you up in their hands, so you will not slip and fall on a stone. 13 You will subdue a lion and a snake; you will trample underfoot a young lion and a serpent.⁠ 14 The Lord says, “Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he is loyal to me. 15 When he calls out to me, I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him honor. 16 I will satisfy him with long life and will let him see my salvation.”

Texts in conversation

Compare Psalm 91:13 and LXX Psalm 90:13

Hebrew Bible · Septuagint

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Summary

Psalm 91 promises protection and victory over dangerous animals, including a serpent. The Greek Septuagint translation replaces the word for serpent with “dragon,” introducing mythological language.

Passages

Psalm 91:13

Hebrew Bible
11 For he will order his angels to protect you in all you do. 12 They will lift you up in their hands, so you will not slip and fall on a stone. 13 You will subdue a lion and a snake; you will trample underfoot a young lion and a serpent. 14 The Lord says, “Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he is loyal to me. 15 When he calls out to me, I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him honor.
600–201 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Psalms

LXX Psalm 90:13

Septuagint
11 For he shall give his angels charge concerning you, to keep you in all your ways. 12 They shall bear you up on their hands, for fear that you might dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread on the asp and basilisk: and you shall trample on the lion and dragon. 14 For he has hoped in me, and I will deliver him: I will protect him, because he has known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will listen to him: I am with him in affliction; and I will deliver him, and glorify him.
100–1 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in LXX Psalms

References

"... The term תַּנִּין sometimes appears to refer to an ordinary snake (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:33, Psalm 91:13). However, these too might bear mythological significance. Indeed, the LXX translates תַּנִּין in Psalm 90:13 (= Masoretic text of 91:13) as δράκοντα ('dragon') ..."
Scott B. Noegel, “Jonah and Leviathan: Inner-Biblical Allusions and the Problem with Dragons,” Hen 37.2 (2015): 236–260.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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  • When was Psalm 91:11 (protestant bible)/ 92:10 (King James Bible), the one with the passage "But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil."

    Walter Fortelius, April 7, 2024

Psalm 91:13 and LXX Psalm 90:13

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