Psalms 91

¹He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Psa 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--(Psa 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 Psa 91:2.

³Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

3. snares ... [and] ... noisome pestilence--literally, “plagues of mischiefs” (Psa 5:9; 52:7), are expressive figures for various evils.

⁴He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

4. For the first figure compare De 32:11; Mt 23:37. buckler--literally, “surrounding”--that is, a kind of shield covering all over.

⁵Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

5. terror--or, what causes it (Pr 20:2). by night--then aggravated. arrow--that is, of enemies.

⁷A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

⁸Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

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.

⁹Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

¹⁰There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

¹¹For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

¹²They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

9-12. This exemption from evil is the result of trust in God, who employs angels as ministering spirits (He 1:14).

¹³Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

13. Even the fiercest, strongest, and most insidious animals may be trampled on with impunity.

¹⁴Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

¹⁵He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

¹⁶With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

14-16. God Himself speaks (compare Psa 46:10; 75:2, 3). All the terms to express safety and peace indicate the most undoubting confidence (compare Psa 18:2; 20:1; 22:5). set his love--that of the most ardent kind.