Psalm 91 3

Psalm 91:3 kjv

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

Psalm 91:3 nkjv

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.

Psalm 91:3 niv

Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.

Psalm 91:3 esv

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

Psalm 91:3 nlt

For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.

Psalm 91 verses

Psalm 91 3 Meaning

Psalm 91:3 promises divine deliverance from two primary categories of danger: hidden, strategic threats and widespread, unseen calamities. It assures the believer that God, who is their dwelling place and refuge as established in the preceding verses, will actively intervene to rescue them from the deliberate, deceptive traps set by enemies and from destructive, widespread diseases or disasters. This verse establishes the "why" and "how" of the protection outlined in Psalm 91:1-2, showcasing God's comprehensive oversight and active defense of those who trust in Him.

Psalm 91 3 Context

Psalm 91:3 is an essential part of a psalm that champions absolute trust in God's protective care. The preceding verses (91:1-2) set the condition for these promises: it is for the one who "dwells in the shelter of the Most High" and "abides in the shadow of the Almighty," declaring the Lord as their "refuge and fortress." Verse 3 then immediately provides specific examples of the protection promised. In the ancient world, "snares of the fowler" (traps for animals or plots against humans) and "deadly pestilence" (widespread, fatal diseases like plagues) were constant and terrifying threats, representing both the deliberate malice of enemies and the seemingly arbitrary destructive power of nature or unseen forces. The psalm asserts God's supreme authority and active intervention over all such dangers for those in intimate fellowship with Him, contrasting with the limited protection offered by idols or pagan deities.

Psalm 91 3 Word analysis

• For: This conjunction, introducing verse 3, directly connects it to the declaration of trust and dwelling in God found in verses 1 and 2. It indicates the reason or assurance of the protection promised.
• he: Refers to "the Lord," "the Most High," and "the Almighty" as stated in Psalm 91:1-2. It underscores God's personal agency and omnipotence in providing protection.
• will deliver: The Hebrew word is יַצִּיל (yaṣṣîl), derived from the root נָצַל (natsal). It means "to snatch away," "to rescue," "to pull out," "to set free," or "to save." The imperfect tense indicates a continuous or future, certain action. It implies a powerful, active, and immediate intervention on God's part to extricate from danger.
• you: Refers to the individual who fulfills the condition of dwelling in God's shelter and declaring Him as their refuge, emphasizing a personal and covenantal relationship with the recipient of the promise.
• from the snare: The Hebrew term is מִפַּח (mippaḥ), from פַּח (paḥ), meaning a "trap," "net," or "snare." This word is often used metaphorically in scripture to represent hidden dangers, plots, ambushes, evil schemes, temptations to sin, or spiritual traps laid by adversaries, human or demonic (e.g., Prov 7:23; 2 Tim 2:26).
• of the fowler: The Hebrew word is יָקוּשׁ (yāqûš), which denotes a "trapper," "bird-catcher," or "snare-setter." This figure represents a hidden, deceitful enemy—one who crafts covert strategies to entrap and destroy. This could signify wicked individuals, conspiring groups, or metaphorically, the ultimate adversary, the devil, who uses deceit and temptation to ensnare (e.g., 2 Tim 2:26).
• and from the deadly pestilence: The Hebrew is מִדֶּבֶר הַוֹּות (middever havvōt).
  • מִדֶּבֶר (middever): From דֶּבֶר (dever), which refers to "pestilence," "plague," or "epidemic disease." This signifies widespread, often invisible, and highly destructive natural calamities or divinely sent judgments.
  • הַוֹּות (havvōt): Meaning "ruin," "destruction," or "calamity." When combined with dever, it emphasizes the deadly, devastating, or destructive nature of the pestilence. Some translations render it as "perilous," "devastating," or "calamitous" plague. This type of threat differs from the "snare" in that it is not a targeted plot but a broad, pervasive danger.

• "For he will deliver you": This phrase highlights God's unwavering commitment and powerful ability to save. It implies a sovereign act of rescue, where the divine protector actively reaches in to pluck the individual from imminent peril. The assurance "will deliver" is foundational to the psalm's message of trust.
• "from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence": This pairing illustrates the comprehensive scope of God's protection. The "snare of the fowler" represents specific, deliberate, and often hidden plots or spiritual attacks by enemies. The "deadly pestilence" represents general, widespread, and uncontrollable dangers like natural disasters, widespread illnesses, or catastrophic events that affect masses indiscriminately. God's promise covers both personal, malicious targeting and broad, indiscriminate perils.

Psalm 91 3 Bonus section

Psalm 91:3 specifically addresses fears of two distinct origins: human or demonic conspiracy (the fowler's snare) and impersonal forces of chaos and death (deadly pestilence). The juxtaposition highlights that God's protection extends beyond just specific adversaries to encompass general afflictions. While the "fowler" can literally refer to a hunter or metaphorically to evil people setting traps for others, its deepest spiritual application points to the cunning and destructive schemes of Satan (the "evil one" in Matt 6:13, the "devil" in 1 Pet 5:8) and his demonic forces. The "deadly pestilence" reminds us that God also governs the realms of sickness, disease, and natural catastrophe. This verse assures the believer that no danger—whether strategically plotted or widely destructive—falls outside the sovereign, protective watch of the Almighty, as long as one maintains their trust and abode in Him.

Psalm 91 3 Commentary

Psalm 91:3 succinctly assures the faithful of God's multifaceted protection, directly addressing two quintessential fears of ancient life: covert threats and pervasive disease. The "snare of the fowler" speaks to deceptive human or spiritual machinations aimed at destruction—the hidden plots, temptations, and evil strategies designed to entrap the unsuspecting. The "deadly pestilence" represents devastating, widespread calamities that defy human control, such as plagues and epidemics, which often instill mass panic and decimation. For those who abide in intimate communion with the Almighty, this verse promises an active, powerful rescue from both deliberate malice and overwhelming disaster. It underscores God's sovereignty over every dimension of danger, affirming that His faithful presence translates into tangible deliverance, preserving His chosen ones from perishing under threats designed to destroy. This is not a blanket exemption from all trouble, but an assurance of divine intervention, enabling survival or deliverance through life's most formidable challenges.