Bible Commentaries

Verses 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 Himself is the speaker in Psalms 91:14-16.

1. Secret place] covert. Shadow] the shelter which a mother-bird gives her brood, as in Psalms 91:4: see Psalms 17:8.

3. And .. pestilence] LXX ’from the destroying word,’ the snare being explained as malicious speech: see Psalms 38:12. ’Pestilence’ comes later, in Psalms 91:6.

5. The terror, etc.] assaults by night, as compared with attacks by day.

6. Destruction] plague. Pestilence and Plague are here personified: see 2 Samuel 24:16-17; Isaiah 37:36.

9. Because.. refuge] RV ’For thou, O Lord, art my refuge!’ Even .. habitation] RV ’Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation.’

11, 12. These vv. are quoted in the accounts of our Lord’s temptation (Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:10).

13. Dragon] RV ’ serpent.’