1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I say of Jehovah, My refuge and my fortress; my God, I will confide in him.
3 Surely *he* shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the destructive pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou find refuge: his truth is a shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, for the arrow that flieth by day,
6 For the pestilence that walketh in darkness, for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because *thou* hast made Jehovah, my refuge, the Most High, thy dwelling-place,
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent.
11 For he shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to keep thee in all thy ways:
12 They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and the adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under foot.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 91
Commentary on Psalms 91 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 91
Ps 91:1-16. David is the most probable author; and the pestilence, mentioned in 2Sa 24:13-15, the most probable of any special occasion to which the Psalm may refer. The changes of person allowable in poetry are here frequently made.
1. dwelleth in the secret place—(Ps 27:5; 31:20) denotes nearness to God. Such as do so abide or lodge secure from assaults, and can well use the terms of trust in Ps 91:2.
3. snares … [and] … noisome pestilence—literally, "plagues of mischiefs" (Ps 5:9; 52:7), are expressive figures for various evils.
4. For the first figure compare De 32:11; Mt 23:37.
buckler—literally, "surrounding"—that is, a kind of shield covering all over.
5. terror—or, what causes it (Pr 20:2).
by night—then aggravated.
arrow—that is, of enemies.
7, 8. The security is more valuable, as being special, and, therefore, evidently of God; and while ten thousands of the wicked fall, the righteous are in such safety that they only see the calamity.
9-12. This exemption from evil is the result of trust in God, who employs angels as ministering spirits (Heb 1:14).
13. Even the fiercest, strongest, and most insidious animals may be trampled on with impunity.
14-16. God Himself speaks (compare Ps 46:10; 75:2, 3). All the terms to express safety and peace indicate the most undoubting confidence (compare Ps 18:2; 20:1; 22:5).
set his love—that of the most ardent kind.
16. show him—literally, "make him see" (Ps 50:23; Lu 2:30).