What does Psalms Chapter 90 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

The psalm declares protection and recalls delivery from a snare and sharp word. Business in darkness and the listed creatures retain this edition’s wording. Future deliverance and salvation remain the psalm’s attributed promises.

Chapter breakdown

Qui habitat is the incipit; the heading describes the just secure under God's protection. The praise of a canticle for David says one dwelling in the Most High's aid shall abide under Jacob's God's protection and shall call Him protector, refuge and God and trust. The speaker recalls delivery from hunters' snare and the sharp word. God will overshadow with shoulders and under wings there shall be trust; truth shall surround with a shield and there shall be no fear of night terror, day arrow, business walking in darkness, invasion or noonday devil. Business is not silently changed into pestilence.

A thousand shall fall at the side and ten thousand at the right hand without coming near; no left side or viewing distance is specified. The addressee shall consider with eyes and see the wicked's reward. Because the Lord is hope and Most High refuge, the verses declare no evil or scourge near the dwelling. These are the psalm's declarations, not independently verified immunity or medical advice.

God has given angels charge to keep in all ways, and they shall bear the addressee in hands lest a foot strike stone. He shall walk on asp and basilisk and trample lion and dragon. The text does not identify each beast as a demon or describe a celestial hierarchy. God says He will deliver because the servant hoped, protect because he knew the name, hear his cry, be with him in tribulation, deliver and glorify, fill with length of days and show salvation. Future promises remain attributed speech, without adding completed rescue or reckless-action guidance.

The story inside

Opening: The psalm declares protection and recalls delivery from a snare and sharp word. Development: Business in darkness and the listed creatures retain this edition’s wording. Conclusion: Future deliverance and salvation remain the psalm’s attributed promises.

Lessons worth keeping

1
The psalm declares protection and recalls delivery from a snare and sharp word.
2
Business in darkness and the listed creatures retain this edition’s wording.
3
Future deliverance and salvation remain the psalm’s attributed promises.

Test your recall

Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 63525–63529
90:1. The praise of a canticle for David. He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob. 90:2. He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust.
Lines 63537–63541
90:5. His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night. 90:6. Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil.
Lines 63555–63562
90:11. For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways. 90:12. In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 90:13. Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon.