Psalms 91:3

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

Surely he shall deliver {H5337}{H8686)} thee from the snare {H6341} of the fowler {H3353}, and from the noisome {H1942} pestilence {H1698}.

he will rescue you from the trap of the hunter and from the plague of calamities;

Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly plague.

For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence.

Commentary

Psalm 91:3 is a powerful declaration of God's protective nature, assuring believers of His steadfast deliverance from various forms of harm. This verse builds upon the foundational truth established in the opening verses of Psalm 91, which describe the profound security found in dwelling under the shadow of the Almighty.

Context

Psalm 91 is renowned as a psalm of divine protection and security, often called the "Soldier's Psalm" or the "Psalm of Refuge." It begins by setting the stage for those who "dwell in the secret place of the most High" (Psalm 91:1), promising unparalleled safety. Verse 3 then specifies two major categories of threats from which God delivers: insidious, hidden dangers and overt, widespread calamities. It reinforces the declaration made in Psalm 91:2, where the psalmist proclaims God as his "refuge and my fortress."

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: The core message is God's active and certain intervention to save His people. The word "Surely" emphasizes the absolute reliability of His promise to deliver.
  • Protection from Hidden Dangers: The "snare of the fowler" metaphorically represents hidden traps, deceptive plots, malicious schemes, or even spiritual attacks designed to ensnare or bring down the unwary. It speaks to unseen dangers that lurk in life, whether from human adversaries or spiritual foes, akin to the devil's snare.
  • Protection from Widespread Calamity: The "noisome pestilence" refers to destructive diseases, plagues, epidemics, or any widespread calamity that brings death and destruction. This highlights God's power to protect His own even amidst global crises or natural disasters, reminiscent of His protection during the plagues in Egypt.
  • God's Faithfulness and Sovereignty: This verse underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His absolute sovereignty over all forms of evil, sickness, and danger. He is not merely a distant observer but an active deliverer.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "fowler" is yaqosh (יָקוֹשׁ), which specifically refers to one who lays snares or traps, typically for birds. The "snare" itself is pach (פַּח), a net or trap. This imagery vividly portrays a hidden, deceptive threat.
  • "Noisome" translates the Hebrew havvah (הַוָּה), which means "destruction" or "calamity," emphasizing the destructive nature of the pestilence.
  • "Pestilence" is dever (דֶּבֶר) in Hebrew, commonly referring to a plague or epidemic, a widespread and deadly disease.

Practical Application

Psalm 91:3 offers profound comfort and reassurance in a world filled with uncertainties. It encourages believers to place their complete trust in God's protective hand, knowing that He is vigilant over their lives. In times of anxiety, fear, or actual threat—whether from unseen spiritual battles, deceptive influences, or global health crises—this verse reminds us that our ultimate security rests in the Lord. It calls us to actively trust in God's deliverance and to seek refuge in His divine presence, confident that He is able and willing to shield His children from harm.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 124:7 (35 votes)

    Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.

  • Psalms 141:9 (34 votes)

    Keep me from the snares [which] they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.

  • Job 5:10 (16 votes)

    Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:

  • Job 5:22 (16 votes)

    At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

  • Proverbs 7:23 (13 votes)

    Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it [is] for his life.

  • Proverbs 6:5 (13 votes)

    Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand [of the hunter], and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:12 (12 votes)

    For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so [are] the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.