Psalm 91

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:1-3

Abiding under God's shadow. In order to understand this most precious promise, inquire— I. WHAT IS THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH ? The idea of this "secret place" is frequently met with. 1 . Sometimes it tells of some secret hiding place, such as David often resorted to when a fugitive;. and the sure protection of God is likened to such safe shelter. 2 . At other times, the central tent of the commander of an army seems to be meant, as in Psalms 27:5 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:1-16

The subject is the security of the man who thoroughly trusts in God. This subject is worked out by an "antiphonal arrangement" (Cheyne)—the first speaker delivering Psalms 90:1 , Psalms 90:2 ; the second, Psalms 90:3 , Psalms 90:4 ; then the first responding with Psalms 90:5-8 ; and again the second with Psalms 90:9-13 . In conclusion, a third speaker, making himself the mouthpiece of Jehovah, crowns all by declaring the blessings which God himself will bestow upon his faithful... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:1-16

The man that trusts in God. I. WE HAVE HIS DESCRIPTION . 1 . He dwells in the secret place , etc. 2 . He abides under the shadow of the Almighty . II. HIS CONFESSION OF FAITH ( Psalms 91:2 .) The Lord is his Refuge, Fortress, the Joy of his soul, his God, his constant Confidence. III. HIS COMMENDATION OF GOD TO OTHERS . ( Psalms 91:3-13 .) 1 . As a sure Deliverer from the hidden foe and from the devouring pestilence. 2 . As... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:2

I will say of the Lord. The general sentiment is followed by a personal application. "I, at any rate," says the first speaker, "will place myself under this powerful protection." He is my Refuge and my Fortress (comp. Psalms 18:2 ; Psalms 144:2 ). My God; in him will I trust (comp. Psalms 29:2 ; Psalms 31:6 ; Psalms 55:23 ; Psalms 56:3 ; Psalms 61:4 , etc.). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:2

A sacred resolve. "I will say of the Lord." Consider— I. SUCH RESOLVES GENERALLY . It is good to make them; for: 1 . They are really prayers. Underlying them there is the desire of the heart that God may give the help needed to fulfil such resolve. 2 . They are a blessed stirring up of the grace of God that is in us. The will summons the soul to energy by means of such holy resolves. 3 . They are well pleasing to God, for they are an actual endeavour to do his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:2

My God. These words come as a climax to all that profession of faith which the former part of the verse contains. It is good to say of the Lord, "He is my Refuge"—to have gone to him, and found in him deliverance from all the guilt and condemnation due to our sin, which otherwise would have overwhelmed us. But it is better to have him as "our Fortress," so that, strong in his strength, we may fight successfully the great battle against all the might of the wicked one. But it is best of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:2

Many names for God. Finding various names is a common device of love. The names seem to express the many sidedness of our relationship. It must be specially true of God that we stand in various relations to him, and are helped by a variety of terms and names, which express those relations. There are four names given to God in Psalms 91:1 , Psalms 91:2 . God the Concealer is the "inaccessibly High One." God the Shadower is the "invincibly Almighty One." God the Covenant maker is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:3

Surely he shall deliver thee. The second speaker takes up the word, and naturally changes the person. Addressing the first speaker, he says—Yes, assuredly, God shall deliver thee from whatever dangers beset thee: as, first , from the snare of the fowler (comp. Psalms 124:7 ; Proverbs 6:5 ); and, secondly, from the noisome pestilence (comp. Psalms 91:6 ), i.e. from all dangers whatsoever—not more from these than from others. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:3

The fowler's snare. It is a frequent usage of the psalmist's to compare the soul of man to a bird (cf. Psalms 11:1-7 ; Psalms 84:1-12 ; etc.). In the next verse God himself is likened to the mother bird that shelters her young under her wings. And, like a bird, the soul of man is exposed to many dangers. Not alone such as are open and known, but such as are bidden, secret, and subtle; not alone from the hovering hawk, but also from the crafty snare of the fowler. And with such souls as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:3

Limitations of temporal protection. The fact is patent. It demands consideration. God does not always give protection from bodily evils to his saints. On a house at Chester, that was spared in the time of plague, is the inscription, "God's providence is mine inheritance." But the man who lived there was not the only good man in Chester at the time. Other good men were not thus protected. Evidently the psalmist "accepts in all simplicity the belief in that which, but for sin and its... read more

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