The author of this psalm, and the occasion on which it was composed, are alike unknown. The psalm has no title; and there are no internal marks by which we can ascertain when, or by whom, it was written. It is very general in its application, and may have been composed with no particular reference t... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT DWELLETH - Everyone that so dwells. The proposition is universal, and is designed to embrace all who are in this condition. It is true of one; it is true of all. The word rendered “dwelleth” here is a participle from the verb to “sit,” and here means “sitting:” literally, “sitting in the sec... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL SAY OF THE LORD - I, the psalmist; I will take this to myself; I will endeavor to secure this blessedness; I will thus abide with God. In view of the blessedness of this condition, and with the hope of securing it to myself; I will adopt this resolution as the purpose of my life. It is what I... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY HE SHALL DELIVER THEE FROM THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER - The snare or gin set for catching birds; meaning, here, that God would save him from the purposes of wicked people; such purposes as might be compared with the devices employed to catch birds. On the meaning of the figure used here, see the... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL COVER THEE WITH HIS FEATHERS ... - As the parent bird protects its young. See the notes at Psalms 17:8. Compare Deuteronomy 32:11. “His truth.” His unfailing promise; the certainty that what he has promised to do he will perform. SHALL BE THY SHIELD AND BUCKLER - literally, “Shield and buck... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID FOR THE TERROR BY NIGHT - That which usually causes alarm at night - a sudden attack; an unexpected incursion of enemies; sudden disease coming on by night; or the pestilence which seems to love night, and to “walk in darkness.” Any one of these things seems to be aggravated... [ Continue Reading ]
NOR FOR THE PESTILENCE - The plague or pestilence was common in Oriental countries. THAT WALKETH IN DARKNESS - Not that it particularly comes in the night, but that it seems to creep along as if in the night; that is, where one cannot mark its progress, or anticipate when or whom it will strike. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
A THOUSAND SHALL FALL AT THY SIDE - Though a thousand should fall at thy side, or close to thee. This alludes to the manner in which the pestilence often moves among people. AND TEN THOUSAND AT THY RIGHT HAND - Compare Psalms 3:6. The word “myriad” would better represent the exact idea in the origi... [ Continue Reading ]
ONLY - That is, This is “all” that will occur to you. The only thing which you have to anticipate is, that you will see how God punishes sinners. WITH THINE EYES SHALT THOU BEHOLD AND SEE THE REWARD OF THE WICKED - Your own eyes shall see it. See the notes at Psalms 37:34. You will see the just puni... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THOU HAST MADE THE LORD, WHICH IS MY REFUGE - literally, “For thou, O Jehovah, (art) my refuge.” The Chaldee Paraphrase regards this as the language of Solomon, who, according to that version, is one of the speakers in the psalm: “Solomon answered and said, ‘Since thou, O Lord, art my refuge... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE SHALL NO EVIL BEFALL THEE - The Chaldee Paraphrase has, “The Lord of the world answered and said, ‘There shall no evil befall thee,’” etc. The sentiment, however, is that the psalmist could assure such an one, from his own personal experience, that he would be safe. He had himself made Yahweh... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER THEE - literally, “He will give ‘command’ to his angels.” That is, he would instruct them, or appoint them for this purpose. This passage Psalms 91:11 was applied to the Saviour by the tempter. Matthew 4:6. See the notes at that passage. This, however, does n... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SHALL BEAR THEE UP ... - As if they took hold of thee, and held thee up, when about to fall. LEST THOU DASH THY FOOT ... - Lest you should stumble and fall. They will protect you so that you may walk safely.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT TREAD UPON THE LION AND ADDER - Thou shalt be safe among dangers, as if the rage of the lion were restrained, and he became like a lamb, and as if the poisonous tooth of the serpent were extracted. Compare Mark 16:18. The word used here to denote the “lion” is a poetic term, not employed... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE HE HATH SET HIS LOVE UPON ME - Has become attached to me; has united himself with me; is my friend. The Hebrew word expresses the strongest attachment, and is equivalent to our expression - “to fall in love.” It refers here to the fact that God is the object of supreme affection on the part... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL CALL UPON ME - He shall have the privilege of calling on me in prayer; and he will do it. AND I WILL ANSWER HIM - I will regard his supplications, and will grant his requests. There could be no greater privilege - no more precious promise - than this. I WILL BE WITH HIM IN TROUBLE - I wil... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH LONG LIFE WILL I SATISFY HIM - The margin here, is “length of days;” that is, days lengthened out or multiplied. The meaning is, I will give him length of days as he desires, or until he is satisfied with life; implying (1) that it is natural to desire long life; (2) that long life is to be r... [ Continue Reading ]