Dmitriy Leo, pastor of Father’s Blessing Church, presents an expanded translation of Psalm 90. Pastor Dmitriy used Hebrew, the Septuagint, and ancient translations to expand the meaning of key words and make this psalm clearer and more meaningful for modern readers.
Psalm 90: The Living Word of the Lord
Psalm 90 is not merely a song to sing—it is the living Word of the Lord. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he quoted verses 11–12 from this psalm. These are powerful promises of God for the sons and daughters of God. Unlike some believers, Satan recognizes the authority of the written Word of God on an equal level with His spoken word. Satan knows that if God has promised something and it is recorded somewhere, God will do it.
It is important for us to know Psalm 90 because it contains God’s promises concerning our safety, protection, prosperity, and longevity.
Psalm 90:1–16
What it means to be under the covering.
Psalm 90:1 He who dwells under the covering [covering, shelter, veil] of the Most High rests in the shadow of the Almighty [remains, dwells, sleeps].
How are such people different from everyone else?
Psalm 90:2 I will say [declare, boast] of the Lord: “He is my refuge [shelter] and my fortress [a fortified, impregnable place; a stronghold on a mountain], my God, in whom I trust [hope].”
Now the psalm addresses those who read or listen to it directly. The psalmist reveals how great the Lord’s promises are.
Ps. 91:3 He will deliver you from the snare of [the trap] of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with His feathers [in another translation: shoulders], and under His wings you will find refuge [protection, wall]. His truth will be your shield [a large shield that completely covers the entire warrior] and armor.
Another translation also says “weapon.” In other words, His truth itself is complete protection and a weapon for a person.
Ps. 91:5 You will not fear the terrors [fear] of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor the destruction [plague, destruction; in another case: demon] that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
Ps. 91:9 Because you have chosen the Lord, my refuge [your refuge], as your dwelling place [habitation];
“Because you have chosen” refers here to what a person chooses to place their hope in.
Today, many people place their hope in their jobs, status, laws, pensions, relatives, benefits, and so on. But that is not what the psalmist is talking about. All the promises of Psalm 91 operate in the lives of those who have chosen the Lord Himself as their refuge and dwelling place. Nothing else can provide the protection and stability that the Lord gives.
Ps. 91:10 No evil will befall you, and no plague will come near your dwelling. 11 He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 They will carry you in their hands, so that your foot will not strike a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the snake [you will trample], you will trample [trample, tread on] the young lion and the dragon [snake].
And finally, the Lord Himself speaks to the people in the first person.
Ps. 91:14 “I will protect him, because he loves Me [cling to, desire, want, join, bind together. Hence: joined, bound], I will defend him, because he knows My Name [that is, he knows Me very well]. 15 When he calls on Me, I will answer; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 I will satisfy him with long life [he will be satisfied with a long life] and show him My salvation [help, well-being, prosperity, happiness]”.
Conclusion
The Lord has a special relationship with people who truly love Him and are in a close relationship with Him.
Psalm 91 says the following about such people:
- They boast in the Lord and declare everywhere that they trust in Him alone.
- They have made the Lord Himself their refuge and fortress.
- They know the Lord’s truth and live by it.
- They truly love the Lord and are in a close relationship with Him.
Neither money, work, power, laws, nor benefits can give a person the protection and stability they receive in the Lord. Amen!
