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Psalm 91:4

ESV He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
NIV He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
NASB He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may take refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and wall.
CSB He will cover you with his feathers; you will take refuge under his wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.
NLT He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
KJV He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
NKJV He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

What does Psalm 91:4 mean?

The psalmist compares the Lord's protection of those who trust in him to the protection a mother eagle gives her chicks. This is depicted as the mother spreading the feathers of her wings over them. Similarly, the Lord covers us with His wings. This is symbolic, of course, since God does not have literal wings. This imagery echoes the cherubim: angels who spread their wings over the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:18–20). These images faced the mercy seat where the high priest made atonement for the people of Israel. Jesus applied similar symbolism when mourning over the stubbornness of Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37).

This verse also emphasizes the Lord's faithfulness to those who trust in Him. The word "shield" refers to a larger item which covers much of a soldier's body. This is a common part of ancient armor (Ephesians 6:16). A "buckler" is a small shield, often worn on the forearm. This is rendered in translations such as the ESV and KJV from the Hebrew sō'hē'rāh, which can also be translated as a "bulwark:" a mound of earth raised around a defensive position. Whether the psalmist is repeating the concept of a mobile shield, or using different ideas for protection, the meaning is the same.
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