Psalm 91 – Scripture, History, and Importance

The Book of Psalms: A Brief History

The book of Psalms has a long, complex, and somewhat uncertain history. The book as we know it today consists of a collection of poems or hymns—verses originally written as songs, likely used in personal acts of devotion by their authors and perhaps others.

Over time, the compilation became popular in the ceremonies of the ancient Israelite temples and even as part of group worship. Indeed, scholarly consensus holds that some of the Psalms were utilized in Solomon’s temple, where hymns penned by King David and even Moses may have been used.

In Zerubbabel’s temple, many of the psalms attributed to David, Asaph, and the sons of Korah would have been sung. In Herod’s temple (which was an expansion and renovation of Zerubbabel’s temple) the entire Psalter—or book of Psalms—would have been used in worship.

Who Wrote the Psalms?

While the book of Psalms was officially accepted as part of the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament) around the third to second centuries BC, the book wasn’t compiled into its current form on a specific date but instead over many centuries and in five “books,” or units.

Structure and Compilation of the Book of Psalms:

• Book 1: Includes Psalms 1–41, compiled around the 10th to 9th centuries BC.
• Book 2: Includes Psalms 42–72, compiled around the 9th to 8th centuries BC.
• Book 3: Includes Psalms 73–89, compiled around the 8th to 6th centuries BC.
• Book 4: Includes Psalms 90–106, compiled in the 6th century BC.
• Book 5: Includes Psalms 107–150, compiled around the 5th to 3rd centuries BC.

Thus, portions of the Psalter date back to as early as Moses—who is believed to have written his psalms during the 15th century BC—with the last of the psalms being penned mostly after Israel’s Babylonian exile (about 538 BC and beyond). Accordingly, this collection of prose was written over the span of about a thousand years, compiled into a single text during the 5th to 4th centuries BC, and finally canonized as sacred scripture approximately 200 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Language of the Psalms

Most of the psalms were originally penned in Hebrew, though some were apparently written in Aramaic. Prior to the time of Jesus Christ, the full Psalter was translated into Greek (as part of the Septuagint) about 150–100 BC. This Greek version of Psalms is likely the one the Savior would have referenced. In approximately AD 398, Jerome completed a Latin translation of the book of Psalms as part of his Vulgate Bible. In the ensuing years, these popular pieces of poetic biblical verses have been translated into numerous languages and have become some of the most-used wisdom literature ever to exist.

Who Authored Psalm 91?

As to the authorship of the 91st Psalm, we cannot say for certain who penned these words, which means we also do not know when they were first written.

Of the 150 biblical psalms, less than half of them are believed to have been penned by King David. Although 73 of them have his name attached, there could have been others that he wrote but to which Davidic authorship was never ascribed. Other contributors to the Psalter include Asaph, Korah’s sons, King Solomon, Moses, and a few unnamed lyricists and poets.

Is Psalm 91 Attributed to David?

While there are some who believe David likely authored Psalm 91, it is important to remember that the text does not attribute it to King David—or to anyone else. In addition, there are clues in the text that may suggest non-Davidic authorship and that may point our attention to a specific author known to have contributed to other passages of this biblical book.

A Response to Psalm 90?

The words of Psalm 91 may have been written as a response to Psalm 90 (which discusses how life is short and filled with difficulty). Thus, in the 91st Psalm we read of God’s promised protection of His people, even in times of great adversity.

If Psalm 91 was intended as a response to or continuation of Psalm 90 (which is known as the “prayer of Moses” because it is said to have been written by that early Israelite prophet), then it is possible that the author of the 91st Psalm is also Moses. Some scholars see multiple linguistic and thematic links between the two psalms, suggesting a single author—thus lending credence to the theory of Mosaic authorship of these two sequential psalms.

When Was Psalm 91 Written?

The date of composition depends on who the author was. If it was in fact written by Moses, then it may have been written between the 15th and 13th centuries BC (Moses is traditionally believed to have lived about 1525–1405 BC).

However, if David is the author, as a few conjecture, then it would have been written much later (about 11th to 10th century BC, as the traditional date for David’s life is about 1040–970 BC).

In the end, we cannot say for sure who the author of this psalm is. However, most evidence seems to point to Mosaic authorship, which could place the composition of this sacred hymn almost certainly sometime during the 15th century BC.

Psalm 91: The Scripture

Understanding Psalm 91 in Light of Other Scripture

Powerful examples are found throughout the scriptures of those who put their trust in God. In the book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego are arrested and thrown into a fiery furnace because of their religious beliefs. So hot were the flames of the furnace that the very men who stoked them were burned to death (see Daniel 3:19–23).

The New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants also teach us that even if God does not give the victory in this life, He will ultimately deliver those who trust in Him, granting them eternal triumph over this world and all evil within it (see Ephesians 6:11; Mosiah 16:2; Doctrine and Covenants 1:9–10; 35:13).

The Book of Mormon tells of Helaman and his young Ammonite army, who put their trust and faith in God as they fought in defense of their land and their freedom. Helaman recounted: “Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually” (Alma 57:27).

Alma, a prophet in the Book of Mormon, testified to the importance of believing in Jesus Christ when he stated, “And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me” (Alma 36:27).

Finding Rest in God’s Protection

Psalm 91 invites all of God’s children to trust in Him. God has provided the world a clear pathway back to Him through the atoning sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. As we align our will with the Savior’s and do our best to follow His example, we can be fortified and comforted through any trial we may face during our time here on earth. God has provided us scriptures, prophets, commandments, sacred covenants, and so much more to help us stay aligned with Jesus Christ and His teachings.

The promise provided in Psalms 91 is not that faithful followers will be free from the difficulties and trials of life. God’s promise to the faithful is that through their challenges and trials they can learn to trust in Him and eventually become more like Him.