LEXICAL SEMANTIC ANALYSIS OF PSALM 91

Abstract

Psalm 91 is among the most evocative texts in the Hebrew Bible, often celebrated for its promise of divine protection, comfort, and security in times of adversity. Using qualitative textual analysis, this article demonstrates how the psalm employs lexical contrasts and overlaps to emphasize divine refuge in the face of human vulnerability. The study investigates the New International Version (NIV) and the King James Version (KJV) of Psalm 91 through the lens of lexical semantics, specifically applying Semantic Field Theory (SFT). Semantic Field Theory posits that lexical items derive meaning not in isolation but through their systematic relationships with other words within the same conceptual domain. By grouping the lexical items of Psalm 91 into the semantic fields of protection, danger, and deliverance, the study reveals how these fields interact to construct a unified theological message. The findings show that meaning in Psalm 91 emerges not from individual terms but from the dynamic interplay of words across fields, thereby offering a deeper understanding of its theological and poetic force. The study further demonstrates the usefulness of Semantic Field Theory in biblical scholarship by showing how groups of related lexical items create textual unity, deepen theological significance, and sustain the psalm’s lasting importance across both historical and modern contexts.