Psalm 91

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 91:9-13

Those who trust in the Lord can rely on His protection. He will commission angels to watch over and protect His own. This is one of the passages in Scripture that reveals the existence and activity of "guardian angels" (cf. Matthew 18:10; Hebrews 1:14). The writer was using hyperbole when he wrote that the believer will not even stub his or her toe (Psalms 91:12). Psalms 91:13 also seems to be hyperbolic. It pictures overcoming dangerous animals. God has given some believers this kind of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 91:14-16

3. The assurance God provides 91:14-16The writer recorded God’s promise to deliver those who know and love Him. He will eventually answer the cries for help that His people voice (cf. Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13). He will not abandon them in their distresses (cf. Joshua 1:9; Matthew 28:20). The promises of rescue and honor normally find fulfillment in this life, but they always do the other side of the grave. God usually blesses people who follow His will by allowing them to live longer.... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 91:1-16

This Ps. describes the safety of those who trust in God, and may have a special reference to the nation of Israel at a time when other nations were involved in calamity. The dangers that threatened Babylon towards the end of the exile have been suggested as a probable occasion for it. The Psalmist sometimes speaks in the first person (Psalms 91:1-2, Psalms 91:9), and sometimes addresses his promises to the godly man, or to the nation, in the second person (Psalms 91:3-8, Psalms 91:9-13). God... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91

XCI.There are no data for ascertaining either the author or the date of this psalm. The variety of the figures employed seems to indicate a general view of life and its possible perils. It may have been a time when both war and pestilence were raging, but we cannot recover it. Whoever first breathed these words of trust, thousands have found them a source of strength and faith in the hour of trial and danger. Stier mentions that some years ago an eminent physician in St. Petersburg recommended... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91:1-2

(1, 2) He . . . I.—The especial difficulty of this psalm, its abrupt changes of person, meets us at the outset. The text literally rendered, runs: “He sitting in the hiding place of the Most High; In the shadow of the Almighty he lodgeth, I say to Jehovah, My refuge and my fortress, My God, I trust in Him. The change in the last clause presents no particular difficulty, as many similar instances occur; but that from the third person, in the first verse, to the first, in the second, is very... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91:3

(3) Snare of the fowler.—The image of the net has occurred frequently before. (See Psalms 10:15, &c) Here, as in Ecclesiastes 9:12, it is used generally of any unexpected peril to life.Noisome pestilence.—Literally, pestilence of calamities, i.e., fatal. (See Psalms 57:1, where the same word “calamities” occurs.) read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91:4

(4) Feathers . . . wings . . .—For this beautiful figure, here elaborated, see Psalms 17:8, Note. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91:5

(5) Terror by night.—Possibly a night attack by an enemy. (Comp. Song of Solomon 3:8; Proverbs 3:23-26.) Comp. Milton:“To bless the doors from nightly harm.”In this case the arrow flying by day would refer to dangers of actual battle. But it is quite possible that the latter may be merely the Oriental expression for the pestilence, since it is still so called by Arabians. “I desired to remove to a less contagious air. I received from Solyman the emperor this message: that the emperor wondered... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91:6

(6) Darkness . . . noonday.—Night and noon are, in Oriental climates, the most unwholesome, the former from exhalations, the latter from the fierce heat.Destruction.—From a root meaning “to cut off;” here, from parallelism, “deadly sickness.” read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91:7

(7) It shall not come nigh thee.—It, i.e., no one of the dangers enumerated. The pious Israelite bears a charmed life. Safe under Divine protection, he only sees the effect of perils that pass by him harmless. read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 91:9-13

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 91:14-16

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 91:1-16

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91:1-2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91:3

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91:4

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91:5

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91:6

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 91:7

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