He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge

The Hebrew in Psalm 91:4 that is translated as “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge” or similar in English is translated in Una as Maka ner aryi er mabwe irirandi to, er Imtamnyi biryi kansi ol amwe tam irikurur: “Like a mother bird hugs her children, the heavenly One hugs you under his wings.” (Source: Kroneman 2004, p. 477)

complete verse (Psalm 91:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 91:4:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “He will cover you with his feathers,
    and you will find a place of refuge in those wings;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and buckler.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “He will cover you with His wings,
    you will get to stay nicely in His shelter,
    His trustworthy promises are your shield and protection.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “He will-protect you (sing.) like a bird protects his newly-hatched-chicks under her wings.
    In his faithfulness, he will-protect you (sing.) and will-take-(your)-side.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “He will cover you with his feathers,
    and he will hide you in his wings,
    his faithfulness will be your shield,
    and he cares for you.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Atakufunika na manyoya yake ya ndege,
    chini ya mabawa yake utapata kimbilio,
    ukweli wake ni ngao ya kukulinda.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “He will shield/ protect you like a bird shields/ protects its chicks with/ under her wings.
    You will be safe in his care/because he takes care of you.
    His faithfully doing what he has promised is like a shield that will protect you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 91:3 - 91:4

The dangers listed in verses 3-5, 6 seem to include both human and nonhuman forces. The latter appear to include demons, but there is no agreement on their identification. In its footnote to verses 5-6, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible points out that the ancient Greek, Aramaic, and Syriac versions used “demon(s)” or “(evil) spirit” in verse 5b.

In verse 3 Good News Translation “all hidden dangers” in line a translates “the bird-catcher’s trap” (Revised Standard Version the snare of the fowler). Many languages will prefer to retain the image of “hidden traps” rather than Good News Translation‘s more generic “hidden dangers.”

“All deadly diseases” in line b translates “the pestilence of destruction” (Revised Standard Version deadly pestilence). The word for “destruction” is used in 5.9b. (King James Version “noisome pestilence” means “a stinking plague.”) The reference is probably to epidemics. Some, however, following the Septuagint and other ancient versions, use other vowel marks with the Hebrew consonants of the word pestilence to get the word “word,” and understand the phrase to mean a plot, or a false accusation, or a witch’s spell.3-4 Hebrew Old Testament Text Project agrees with the change: “from the word (of calamity).” In support of its decision it cites factor 12, “scribal errors.” Dahood uses still other vowels to get the meaning “venomous substance”; New English Bible translates the text “raging tempest.” It seems best, however, to follow the example of Revised Standard Version (and Good News Translation) here.

The first two lines of verse 4 are synonymous: his pinions and his wings are figures of God’s protection. In many languages it will be necessary to recast the imagery in the form of a simile; for example, “he will cover you like a bird covers its young under its wings.”

In verse 4c God’s faithfulness in keeping his promises is the source of security; shield (see 5.12 and comments) and buckler provide protection. The Hebrew word translated buckler occurs only here in the Old Testament; it is variously defined as “tower, bulwark, wall.” Briggs and New Jerusalem Bible explain the term as the participle of the verb “to surround,” and New Jerusalem Bible translates “an encircling shield.” It is recommended that translators follow Revised Standard Version buckler, which was a small shield carried in the hand or worn on the arm, for protecting the body. His faithfulness is a shield must sometimes be recast as two clauses; for example, “God is faithful and will protect you like a shield” or “God keeps his promises and will protect and defend you.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .