Psalm 91

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:3

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 notes at Psalms 18:5.And from the noisome pestilence - The “fatal” pestilence; the pestilence that spreads death in its march. That is, he can prevent its coming upon you; or, he can save you from... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:4

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 buckler is his truth.” The meaning is, that his pledge or promise would be unto them as the shield of the soldier is to him in battle. Compare Psalms 35:2. The word rendered “buckler” is derived from the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:5

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 by night and darkness; and hence, we most dread them then. We cannot see their approach; we cannot measure their outlines; we know not the extent of the danger, or what may be the calamity.Nor for... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:6

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. The laws of its movements are unknown, and it comes upon people as an enemy that suddenly attacks us in the night.Nor for the destruction - The word used here - קטב qeṭeb - means properly a cutting off,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:7

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 original, as the Hebrew word is different from that which is translated “a thousand.” It is put here for any large number. No matter how many fall around thee, on the right hand and the left, you will have... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:8

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 punishment of the ungodly, the vicious, the profane, the sensual. You will see what is the proper fruit of their conduct; what is the just expression of the views which God takes of their character. This... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:9

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,’” etc. Tholuck regards this as the response of the choir. But this is unnecessary. The idea is, that the psalmist “himself” had made Yahweh his refuge, or his defense. The language is an expression... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:10

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 his refuge, and he could speak with confidence of the safety of doing so. This, of course, is to be understood as a general truth, in accordance with what has been said above.Neither shall any plague... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:11

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 91:11-12 was applied to the Saviour by the tempter. Matthew 4:6. See the notes at that passage. This, however, does not prove that it had an original reference to the Messiah, for even if we should suppose that Satan was a correct and reliable expounder of the Scriptures, all that the passage would prove as used... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:12

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. read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 91:12

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