Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 91:1-8

In these verses we have, I. A great truth laid down in general, That all those who live a life of communion with God are constantly safe under his protection, and may therefore preserve a holy serenity and security of mind at all times (Ps. 91:1): He that dwells, that sits down, in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty; he that by faith chooses God for his guardian shall find all that in him which he needs or can desire. Note, 1. It is the character of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 91:5

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night ,.... The terrible things that happen in the night; as fire, storms and tempests, invasion of enemies, murders, thefts, and, robberies: a good man, when he has committed himself and his family to the care and protection of God by prayer, has no reason to be anxiously careful of these things, or to indulge a slavish fear about them; see Psalm 3:5 , the Targum is, "thou shall not be afraid for the fear of devils that walk in the night:' so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 91:6

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness ,.... Some think, and not without cause, that what is figuratively expressed in the preceding verse is here explained; and, indeed, the "pestilence" may well be called the "terror by night": the name of the plague, at a distance, is terrible; the near approach of it is more so; when it enters a country, city, or town, what fleeing is there from it? and in the night season it is more dreadful than in the day; not only to think of it in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 91:7

A thousand shall fall at thy side ,.... The left side, as the Targum; so the Arabic version, and Jarchi and Kimchi; which sense the opposition and distinction in the next clause direct unto: this is not to be understood of falling in battle, as some interpret it, but by the pestilence before spoken of: and ten thousand at thy right hand ; which shows both the great devastation made by the plague where it comes, and the special care and providence of God in preserving his people from it;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 91:8

Only with thine eyes shall thou behold ,.... The flying arrow, the walking pestilence, and wasting destruction, and the great devastations made by it: and see the reward of the wicked ; the vengeance of God upon them, and this as a just punishment for their sins; not looking upon it with delight and pleasure, rejoicing in the misery of their fellow creatures, any otherwise than as the glory of divine justice is displayed in it; see Psalm 52:6 , the pestilence is always threatened, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 91:5

The terror by night - Night is a time of terrors, because it is a time of treasons, plunder, robbery, and murder. The godly man lies down in peace, and sleeps quietly, for he trusts his body, soul, and substance, in the hand of God; and he knows that he who keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. It may also mean all spiritual foes, - the rulers of the darkness of this world. I have heard the following petition in an evening family prayer: "Blessed Lord, take us into thy protection this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 91:6

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday - The rabbins supposed that the empire of death was under two demons, one of which ruled by day, the other by night. The Vulgate and Septuagint have - the noonday devil. The ancients thought that there were some demons who had the power to injure particularly at noonday. To this Theocritus refers, Id. 1: ver. 15: - Ου θεμις, ω ποιμαν, το μεσαμβρινον, ου θεμις αμμινπ Συρισδεν· τον Πανα... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 91:7

A thousand shall fall at thy side - Calmet thinks this place should be translated thus: "A thousand enemies may fall upon thee on one side, and ten thousand may fall upon thee on thy right hand: but they shall not come nigh thee to take away thy life." It is a promise of perfect protection, and the utmost safety. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 91:8

The reward of the wicked - Thou shalt not only be safe thyself, but thou shalt see all thy enemies discomfited and cast down. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 91:5

Verse 5 5Thou shalt not fear for the terror of the night. The Psalmist continues to insist upon the truth which I have just adverted to, that, if we confide with implicit reliance upon the protection of God, we will be secure from every temptation and assault of Satan. It is of importance to remember, that those whom God has taken under his care are in a state of the most absolute safety. Even those who have reached the most advanced experience find nothing more difficult than to rely upon... read more

Group of Brands