Psalms 91:1 Kabbalah: Sha'arei Orah

The Song of Obstructions,⁹Psalm 91 which is founded on this principle, thus states, “He who sits in the refuge of the Most High, dwells in the shade of the Almighty. I will say of HaShem-יהו"ה, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust. For He will deliver you from the ensnaring trap, from devastating pestilence. He will cover you with His pinion and you will be protected under His wings; His truth is shield and armor. You shall not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that walks in gloom, nor the destroyer who lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall victim at your side and a myriad at your right hand, but it shall not reach you. You will only glance with your eyes and behold the retribution of the wicked etc.”¹⁰This Psalm and the various legions of destructive forces described by each of the terms in this Psalm are elucidated at greater length in Derech Chayim of Rabbi DovBer of Lubavitch, the Mittler Rebbe, translated as The Path of Life.

Thus, when this quality becomes filled with the quality that precedes it,²⁹³The quality of foundation-Yesod, which is the subject of the next gate. it then is called the One Who Is Self-Sufficient-Shada”y-שד״י, meaning that there is sufficiency-Sheyesh Dai-שיש די, indicating completion and fullness. When this quality is called Shada”y-שדי, all the various kinds of destructive forces and demons flee from it. This is the meaning of the verse in the Psalm known as the Song of Obstructions,²⁹⁴Psalms 91:1 “Whosoever dwells in the hiding place of the Most High, resides in the shade of the One Who Is Self-Sufficient-Shada”y-שדי.”²⁹⁵Talmud Bavli, Shevuot 15b – Shir Shel Pega’im-שיר של פגעים. This is one of the ten Psalms said by our teacher Moshe, peace be upon him (Rashi ibid.), that protects against all forces of destruction. (See also Midrash Bamidbar Rabba 12:3.)