5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day;
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle on you.
He will deliver you in six troubles; Yes, in seven there shall no evil touch you. In famine he will redeem you from death; In war, from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, Neither shall you be afraid of destruction when it comes. At destruction and famine you shall laugh, Neither shall you be afraid of the animals of the earth. For you shall be in league with the stones of the field. The animals of the field shall be at peace with you. You shall know that your tent is in peace. You shall visit your fold, and shall miss nothing. You shall know also that your seed shall be great, Your offspring as the grass of the earth. You shall come to your grave in a full age, Like a shock of grain comes in its season. Look this, we have searched it, so it is; Hear it, and know it for your good."
The wicked flee when no one pursues; But the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won't stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. Don't be afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:
I laid myself down and slept. I awakened; for Yahweh sustains me. I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people Who have set themselves against me on every side.
He will not be afraid of evil news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in Yahweh.
> Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? When evil-doers came at me to eat up my flesh, Even my adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell. Though a host should encamp against me, My heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, Even then I will be confident.
"But God said to him, 'You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared--whose will they be?'
My heart flutters, horror has frightened me; the twilight that I desired has been turned into trembling to me.
He said to them, "Why are you fearful, oh you of little faith?" Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.
He has bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. He has caused the shafts of his quiver to enter into my reins.
The murderer rises with the light. He kills the poor and needy. In the night he is like a thief. The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight, Saying, 'No eye shall see me.' He disguises his face. In the dark they dig through houses. They shut themselves up in the daytime. They don't know the light.
In thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on men, Fear came on me, and trembling, Which made all my bones shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; The hair of my flesh stood up.
For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the 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 on 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).