_A.M. 2987. B.C. 1017._ It is not certain who was the author of this Psalm, but “the occasion,” says Bishop Patrick, “seems to have been some great pestilence; in which, as in all other dangers, the psalmist commends an humble confidence in God, and ardent love to him, as the best security. Now the... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that dwelleth in the secret place_, &c. He that makes God his habitation and refuge, as he is called Psalms 91:9, that has recourse to him, and relies on him in his dangers and difficulties; that has access to him, intercourse with him, and worships within the veil, living a life of constant com... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge_ Upon that ground I will confidently commit myself and all my affairs to God. _Surely he shall deliver thee_ O thou believing, pious soul, who after my example shalt make God thy refuge, thou shalt partake of the same privilege which I enjoy. _From the snare... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall cover thee with his feathers_ shall protect thee with the greatest tenderness and affection, as a hen covers and defends her chickens when they are in any danger. _And under his wings shalt thou trust_ The wings of his overshadowing power and providence; _his truth_ Whereby he is obliged t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night_ When evil accidents are most terrible and least avoidable; _nor for the arrow_ Any common and destructive calamity; (for such are commonly called God's arrows;) _that flieth by day_ Which is the time for shooting arrows. The sense of the verse is, T... [ Continue Reading ]
_A thousand shall fall at thy side_ At thy left side, this being opposed to the _right hand_, immediately mentioned; _but it shall not come nigh thee_ This and such like promises are not to be understood absolutely and universally, as if no truly good man could be cut off by the plague, or by other... [ Continue Reading ]
_Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold_, &c. Without any terror or danger to thyself, and with a thankful reflection on God's goodness to thee; _and see the reward of the wicked_ The just recompense of their sins, or the vengeance of God upon them. Observe well, reader, those that preserve their pu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because thou hast made the Most High thy habitation_ Which is the only ground and reason of that safety here mentioned; _there shall no evil befall thee_ Namely, so as to destroy or really hurt thee. Though affliction befall thee, yet there shall be no real _evil_ in it; for it shall come from the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt tread upon the lion_ The lion shall lie prostrate at thy feet, and thou shalt securely put thy feet upon his neck, as the Israelites did upon the necks of the Canaanitish kings, Joshua 10:24. _The young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample_, &c. By which he figuratively understands all... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because he hath set his love upon me_ In the former part of the Psalm the prophet had spoken in his own person; but here God himself is introduced as the speaker, confirming the preceding promises, and giving an account of the reasons of his singular care of all that truly believe and trust in him.... [ Continue Reading ]