Satan is quoting Psalm 91 here, but modern readers may not appreciate the multiple ironies of the text. In Jesus’ time, that very psalm had long been one of the most powerful weapons in the arsenal of ...

Why is Psalm 91 considered a powerful prayer of protection? Psalm 91 is widely recognized in Judeo-Christian traditions as a text that invokes divine protection against dangers and adversities.

Over the ages, Psalm 91 has proven to be impressively malleable, serving more Jewish and Christian communities than one can count (see “The travels of Psalm 91,” Jan. 17, 2018). In each, it has ...