Psalm 91

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:11

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways (comp. Psalms 34:7 ). The faithful are under the constant care of angels ( Hebrews 1:14 ), who guide them and direct them perpetually. Satan made a crafty use of this promise when he tempted our Lord ( Matthew 4:6 ; Luke 4:10 , Luke 4:11 ). No doubt it applies to him pre-eminently, as the specially "Faithful One." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:11

The angels. "He shall give his angels charge," etc. The restful spirit of absolute trust in God rises in this psalm to its loftiest height. It is a glorious commentary on Isaiah 26:3 . The Divine answer at the close ( Isaiah 26:14-16 ) shows how near the Lord is to the soul that trusts him. Compare, as an equally glorious New Testament parallel, Romans 8:31-39 . St. Paul defies "angels and principalities" of evil to harm God's children. Here holy angels are declared to be their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:11

Angel agencies. For associations of "angels" with Moses and his times, we may recall the New Testament saying, that the "Law was given by the disposition of angels." Moses had associated angels with Abraham and Jacob; and when God proposed to withdraw his personal guidance of Israel, he offered Moses to send "an angel" before them. It was a common belief, even among the heathen, that human beings have each their guardian genius; but the psalmist here does not appear to refer to any such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:11-13

His angels. The mention of them is introduced here in order to show how the blessed promise of Psalms 91:10 is fulfilled. The angels are continually spoken of in Scripture. First of all, we read of them in connection with the story of Hagar, and from thence onward the pages of Holy Scripture make perpetual references to them. It, therefore, cannot but be important to us that we should understand, so far as we may, what is written concerning them. For we cannot think that their work and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:12

They shall bear thee up in their hands; rather, upon their hands— lifting thee over difficulties and stumbling blocks. Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone (comp. Proverbs 3:23 , Proverbs 3:24 ). Moral impediments are, no doubt, chiefly meant. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:12

The angels' charge of little things. To whom is this promise addressed? Not to any and everybody indiscriminately, but only to those who dwell "in the secret place of," etc. ( Psalms 91:1 ). Therefore it was especially applicable to our Lord. Some have concluded, that, as this verse was made use of by Satan when he tempted our Lord, the psalm is to be limited in its application to him only. But this is an error. Satan quoted it; but, as he always does when he quotes Scripture—a not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:12-13

Typical perils of the saints. (See also Psalms 91:5 , Psalms 91:6 , Psalms 91:10 .) Those dealt with may be read in the light of wilderness experiences. Then we have: 1 . The common Eastern terror of the night, both as time of insecurity and time of spread of disease. Thieves work at night; sudden attacks of enemies are made at night; the angel of pestilence strikes at night; wild beasts roam at night; fires mostly break out at night. 2 . The dangers of sunstroke and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:13

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder. Conquered enemies prostrated themselves before their conquerors, who, to mark the completeness of the subjection, placed a foot upon the prostrate form. From this practice the metaphor of "treading under foot" for conquering became a commonplace (see Psalms 7:5 ; Psalms 44:5 ; Psalms 55:12 , etc.). The "lion" here represents all open and violent foes; the "adder," all secret and malignant ones. The young lion ( kephir, the lion in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:14

Because he hath set his love upon me (see Deuteronomy 7:7 ; Deuteronomy 10:15 ). "By a sudden and effective transition," as Professor Cheyne remarks, "Jehovah becomes the speaker" of the concluding strophe. It is not enough that the faithful should encourage each other by their anticipations of God's coming mercies, God himself now speaks by the mouth of his prophet, and makes promises in his own Person. I will deliver him . A ratification of Psalms 91:3 , Psalms 91:7 , Psalms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:14

Reasons in man for the Divine favour. "Because he hath set his love upon me." This verse begins what may be regarded as a poetical setting of the answer which God gives to the fully trusting soul. "God himself comes forward to establish the faith of his servant, writes deeper in the soul so great a consolation, and confirms the testimony of his servant. 'He hath set his love upon me; he knoweth my name; he calleth upon me.' These are the marks of a true servant of God." It has been noticed... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:11-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:12-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 91:14

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands