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
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
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
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
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
He that dwelleth - Everyone that so dwells. The proposition is universal, and is designed to embrace all who are in this condition. It is true of one; it is true of all. The word rendered “dwelleth” here is a participle from the verb to “sit,” and here means “sitting:” literally, “sitting in the secret place,” etc. The idea is that of calm repose; of resting; of sitting down - as one does in his dwelling.In the secret place - On the meaning of this see the notes at Psalms 27:5. Compare Psalms... read more
I will say of the Lord - I, the psalmist; I will take this to myself; I will endeavor to secure this blessedness; I will thus abide with God. In view of the blessedness of this condition, and with the hope of securing it to myself; I will adopt this resolution as the purpose of my life. It is what I need; it is what my soul desires.My refuge and my fortress - “I will say of Jehovah, My refuge and my fortress!” I will address him as such; I will regard him as such. On the meaning of these terms,... read more
Psalms 91:1. 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 communion with him; shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty He shall not be disappointed of his hope, but shall find a quiet and safe resting- place under the divine care. A ... read more
Psalms 91:2-3. 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 of the fowler Which is laid unseen, and catches the unwary prey on a sudden; and from the noisome pestilence Which, like a fowler’s snare, seizeth men unexpectedly, and holdeth... read more
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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