3 Surely he shall deliver H5337 thee from the snare H6341 of the fowler, H3353 and from the noisome H1942 pestilence. H1698
4 He shall cover H5526 thee with his feathers, H84 and under his wings H3671 shalt thou trust: H2620 his truth H571 shall be thy shield H6793 and buckler. H5507
5 Thou shalt not be afraid H3372 for the terror H6343 by night; H3915 nor for the arrow H2671 that flieth H5774 by day; H3119
6 Nor for the pestilence H1698 that walketh H1980 in darkness; H652 nor for the destruction H6986 that wasteth H7736 at noonday. H6672
7 A thousand H505 shall fall H5307 at thy side, H6654 and ten thousand H7233 at thy right hand; H3225 but it shall not come nigh H5066 thee.
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).