יֹשֵׁב בְּסֵתֶר עֶלְיוֹן בְּצֵל שַׁדַּי יִתְלוֹנָן

This verse is a kind of heading, clarifying that the psalm is directed at he who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, seeking shelter from the troubles of this world, finding refuge in God, and dwelling under His protection.

אֹמַר לַה' מַחְסִי וּמְצוּדָתִי אֱלֹהַי אֶבְטַח בּוֹ

The psalmist then opens with his prayer: I will say of the Lord: He is my shelter and my fortress, my God in whom I trust,

כִּי הוּא יַצִּילְךָ מִפַּח יָקוּשׁ מִדֶּבֶר הַוּוֹת

The chorus responds: It is indeed good to seek refuge in God, for He will rescue you from the ensnaring trap, from devastating pestilence.

בְּאֶבְרָתוֹ יָסֶךְ לָךְ וְתַחַת כְּנָפָיו תֶּחְסֶה צִנָּה וְסֹחֵרָה אֲמִתּוֹ

Or, stated metaphorically: He will cover You with His pinion; you will find refuge under His wings. His truth is a source of protection from harm, like a shield and armor.

לֹא תִירָא מִפַּחַד לָיְלָה מֵחֵץ יָעוּף יוֹמָם

You will not fear the terror of night. At night one is more likely to fear being assaulted directly by an armed attacker. Nor will you fear the arrow that flies by day. Arrows are usually shot in the daytime, when their targets are in full sight.

מִדֶּבֶר בָּאֹפֶל יַהֲלֹךְ מִקֶּטֶב יָשׁוּד צָהֳרָיִם

Nor will you fear the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that lays waste at noon.

יִפֹּל מִצִּדְּךָ אֶלֶף וּרְבָבָה מִימִינֶךָ אֵלֶיךָ לֹא יִגָּשׁ

A thousand may fall victim to some calamity at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not reach you.

רַק בְּעֵינֶיךָ תַבִּיט וְשִׁלֻּמַת רְשָׁעִים תִּרְאֶה

You will just look with your eyes and see the just punishment of the wicked, that they receive.

כִּי אַתָּה ה' מַחְסִי

The individual, who finds shelter in God, speaks again: For You, Lord, are my shelter. The chorus responds: It is fitting that you seek shelter in Him, for you have made the Most High your dwelling place.

עֶלְיוֹן שַׂמְתָּ מְעוֹנֶךָ לֹא תְאֻנֶּה אֵלֶיךָ רָעָה וְנֶגַע לֹא יִקְרַב בְּאָהֳלֶךָ

As a result of your trust in Him, no evil will befall you, and no plague will come near your tent,

כִּי מַלְאָכָיו יְצַוֶּה לָּךְ לִשְׁמָרְךָ בְּכָל דְּרָכֶיךָ

for He will charge his angels on your behalf to guard you in all your ways.

עַל כַּפַּיִם יִשָֹּאוּנְךָ פֶּן תִּגֹּף בָּאֶבֶן רַגְלֶךָ

They will carry you on their palms of their hands, lest your foot be struck by a stone. As one lifts up a child and carries him when walking on perilous terrain, the angels will protect you from injury.

עַל שַׁחַל וָפֶתֶן תִּדְרֹךְ תִּרְמֹס כְּפִיר וְתַנִּין

Because of this protection, you will be able to tread in complete safety, even upon lions and cobras; you will be able to trample young lions and serpents.

כִּי בִי חָשַׁק וַאֲפַלְּטֵהוּ ; אֲשַׂגְּבֵהוּ כִּי יָדַע שְׁמִי

At this point, a third voice is heard, that of God: I grant this extraordinary protection to this individual because he desired Me greatly. Therefore I will rescue him; I will be his fortress, for he has known My name.

יִקְרָאֵנִי וְאֶעֱנֵהוּ עִמּוֹ אָנֹכִי בְצָרָה אֲחַלְּצֵהוּ ואֲכַבְּדֵהוּ

When he calls upon Me, I will answer him. I will be with him in times of trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. Not only will I rescue him from distress, but I will also help him to achieve greatness and honor.

אֹרֶךְ יָמִים אַשְׂבִּיעֵהוּ ואַרְאֵהוּ בִּישׁוּעָתִי

In addition, I will sate him with length of days, and I will show him My salvation, sparing him from both personal problems and general misfortunes.