1 Happy is he whose resting-place is in the secret of the Lord, and under the shade of the wings of the Most High;
2 Who says of the Lord, He is my safe place and my tower of strength: he is my God, in whom is my hope.
3 He will take you out of the bird-net, and keep you safe from wasting disease.
4 You will be covered by his feathers; under his wings you will be safe: his good faith will be your salvation.
5 You will have no fear of the evil things of the night, or of the arrow in flight by day,
6 Or of the disease which takes men in the dark, or of the destruction which makes waste when the sun is high.
7 You will see a thousand falling by your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes will you see the reward of the evil-doers.
9 Because you have said, I am in the hands of the Lord, the Most High is my safe resting-place;
10 No evil will come on you, and no disease will come near your tent.
11 For he will give you into the care of his angels to keep you wherever you go.
12 In their hands they will keep you up, so that your foot may not be crushed against a stone.
13 You will put your foot on the lion and the snake; the young lion and the great snake will be crushed under your feet.
14 Because he has given me his love, I will take him out of danger: I will put him in a place of honour, because he has kept my name in his heart.
15 When his cry comes up to me, I will give him an answer: I will be with him in trouble; I will make him free from danger and give him honour.
16 With long life will he be rewarded; and I will let him see my salvation.
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).