NIV
New International Version · 1978 (rev. 2011)
Psalm 91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
20 words · Balance of accuracy and readability
Psalms 91:1 — Compare Translations
Read this verse in 6 Bible translations — from word-for-word to thought-for-thought.
Dynamic equivalence
KJV
King James Version · 1611
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. <sup>abide: Heb. lodge</sup>
22 words · Formal / word-for-word
ESV
English Standard Version · 2001 (rev. 2016)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
18 words · Essentially literal
NLT
New Living Translation · 1996 (rev. 2015)
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
19 words · Thought-for-thought clarity
MSG
The Message · 2002
You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
15 words · Contemporary paraphrase
NASB
New American Standard Bible · 1971 (rev. 2020)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
18 words · Most literal English translation
Translation Length Comparison
NIV
20 words
KJV
22 words
ESV
18 words
NLT
19 words
MSG
15 words
NASB
18 words
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bible translations are there for Psalms 91:1?
Bible Verse Randomizer offers Psalms 91:1 in 6 translations: New International Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, The Message, New American Standard Bible. Each uses a different translation philosophy — from word-for-word (KJV, ESV, NASB) to thought-for-thought (NIV, NLT) to paraphrase (MSG).
Which translation of Psalms 91:1 is best?
No single translation is "best" — it depends on your purpose. For deep study, use the ESV or NASB (word-for-word). For devotional reading, the NIV balances accuracy and readability. The NLT and MSG are excellent for understanding the general meaning in modern English. Comparing multiple translations helps grasp the full richness of the text.
What is the difference between literal and dynamic Bible translations?
Literal (formal equivalence) translations like KJV, ESV, and NASB translate word-for-word from the original Hebrew/Greek. Dynamic equivalence translations like NIV and NLT translate thought-for-thought for clarity. The MSG is a paraphrase that captures the spirit in contemporary language. Each approach has strengths — that's why comparing translations is valuable.
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