This exquisite Psalm may no doubt simply describe the security of the godly man under Jehovah's protection amid the perils of his journey through life. But it gains in point and force if it is regarded as addressed to Israel [50] in a crisis of its history. Psalms 90, 91, 92 are connected by several... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoever takes refuge with God will find himself under the protection of an Almighty guardian. "He shall be treated as _God's guest_… His Almighty Power shall be spread around him during the night of trouble and peril. Loving faith on man's part shall be met by faithful love on God's part" (Kay). Suc... [ Continue Reading ]
The theme of the Psalm; Jehovah a secure defence for those who take refuge in Him.... [ Continue Reading ]
I will say unto Jehovah, My refuge and my fortress; My God in whom I will trust. I can and will address Him thus in the language of faith. Cp. Psalms 18:2; Psalms 31:3; Psalms 71:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Surely he_&c. For HE &c. The pronoun is emphatic. _the snare of the fowler_ All insidious attempts against life or welfare (Psalms 124:7; Psalms 141:9, &c.; 2 Timothy 2:26). and _from the noisome pestilence_ from [omit _and_ the destroying pestilence. But _pestilence_comes later in Psalms 91:6, a... [ Continue Reading ]
The providential care of God described in detail. The Psalmist, if the interpretation advocated above is correct, now addresses Israel; or, it may be, any godly Israelite.... [ Continue Reading ]
He shall shelter thee with his pinions, And under his wings shalt thou take refuge: His truth is a shield and buckler. Cp. Psalms 5:11-12; Psalms 17:8; Psalms 63:7; and the figure in Deuteronomy 32:11, though the application there is different. God's truth, i.e. His faithfulness to His promises,... [ Continue Reading ]
Neither sudden assaults of enemies by night, nor open attacks by day (Song of Solomon 3:8; Jeremiah 6:4-5; Proverbs 3:24-25) shall have power to harm thee. The language is figurative: all hostility, whether secret or avowed, is meant.... [ Continue Reading ]
Plague and Pestilence are personified as destroying angels. Cp. Isaiah 37:36.... [ Continue Reading ]
Though a thousand fall … it shall not come nigh thee] The emphasis is on thee. Thou shalt be as safe as Israel when the firstborn of the Egyptians were smitten (Exodus 12:23): unharmed thyself thou shalt be a spectator of the punishment of the wicked, as Israel was at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:30-31).... [ Continue Reading ]
For thou, Jehovah, art my refuge! Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation. So we must render. The A.V. is an attempt to escape from the difficulties of the verse, but it involves an intolerably harsh construction. As the text stands, the Psalmist begins the second division of the Psalm by repe... [ Continue Reading ]
Renewed assurances of Divine protection, ratified by a Divine promise.... [ Continue Reading ]
_befall thee_ Lit., _be let befall thee_. Cp. Proverbs 12:21. _thy dwelling_ Lit., _thy tent_, a survival of the language of nomad life.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Genesis 24:7; Genesis 24:40; Exodus 23:20 ("I send an angel before thee to keep thee in the way"); Psalms 34:7. This verse and the next were quoted by the Tempter (Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:10-11). If the words are primarily addressed to Israel, there is a particular force in the citation. Israel was... [ Continue Reading ]
Upon their hands shall they bear thee] Cp. the metaphor in Exodus 19:4. _lest thou dash_&c. and stumble and fall. Cp. Proverbs 3:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou shalt triumphantly overcome all obstacles and dangers, whether of fierce and open violence, or of secret and insidious treachery. Cp. Luke 10:19; Romans 16:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
_he hath set his love upon me_ Love responds to love. The word means _to cling to with love_, and is used of God's love for Israel in Deuteronomy 7:7; Deuteronomy 10:15. _set him on high_ In safety from his enemies. Cp. Psalms 20:1. _known my name_ Recognised My revealed character as the faithful... [ Continue Reading ]
God Himself speaks, solemnly confirming the Psalmist's faith.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Psalms 50:15; Psalms 50:23. _honour him_ Or, _glorify him_. Cp. Jeremiah 30:19. with _long life_ Lit., _with length of days_(Deuteronomy 30:20; Proverbs 3:2; Proverbs 3:16); in fulfilment of the ancient promises, Exodus 20:12; Exodus 23:26 ("the number of thy da [ Continue Reading ]