5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, for the arrow that flieth by day,
When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
He will deliver thee in six troubles, and in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he will redeem thee from death, and in war from the power of the sword. Thou shalt be hidden from the scourge of the tongue; and thou shalt not be afraid of destruction when it cometh. At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh, and of the beasts of the earth thou shalt not be afraid. For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. And thou shalt know that thy tent is in peace; and thou wilt survey thy fold, and miss nothing. And thou shalt know that thy seed is numerous, and thine offspring as the herb of the earth. Thou shalt come to the grave in a ripe age, as a shock of corn is brought in in its season. Behold this, we have searched it out, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thyself.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, and thy foot shall not stumble; when thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid, but thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the destruction of the wicked, when it cometh;
I laid me down and slept; I awaked, for Jehovah sustaineth me. I will not fear for myriads of the people that have set themselves against me round about.
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed confiding in Jehovah;
{[A Psalm] of David.} Jehovah is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evil-doers, mine adversaries and mine enemies, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. If a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; if war rise against me, in this will I be confident.
But God said to him, Fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; and whose shall be what thou hast prepared?
My heart panteth, horror affrighteth me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into trembling unto me.
And he says to them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then, having arisen, he rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.
The murderer riseth with the light, killeth the afflicted and needy, and in the night is as a thief. And the eye of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me; and he putteth a covering on [his] face. In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves in; they know not the light:
In thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men: -- Fear came on me, and trembling, and made all my bones to shake; And a spirit passed before my face -- the hair of my flesh stood up --
For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, a noise of a great host; and they said one to another, Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
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).