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Commentary on Psalms 91 verses 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 (Psa 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 a true believer that he dwells in the secret place of the Most High; he is at home in God, returns to God, and reposes in him as his rest; he acquaints himself with inward religion, and makes heart-work of the service of God, worships within the veil, and loves to be alone with God, to converse with him in solitude. 2. It is the privilege and comfort of those that do so that they abide under the shadow of the Almighty; he shelters them, and comes between them and every thing that would annoy them, whether storm or sunshine. They shall not only have an admittance, but a residence, under God's protection; he will be their rest and refuge for ever.
II. The psalmist's comfortable application of this to himself (Psa 91:2): I will say of the Lord, whatever others say of him, "He is my refuge; I choose him as such, and confide in him. Others make idols their refuge, but I will say of Jehovah, the true and living God, He is my refuge: any other is a refuge of lies. He is a refuge that will not fail me; for he is my fortress and strong-hold." Idolaters called their idols Mahuzzim, their most strong-hold (Dan 11:39), but therein they deceived themselves; those only secure themselves that make the Lord their God, their fortress. There being no reason to question his sufficiency, fitly does it follow, In him will I trust. If Jehovah be our God, our refuge, and our fortress, what can we desire which we may not be sure to find in him? He is neither fickle nor false, neither weak nor mortal; he is God and not man, and therefore there is no danger of being disappointed in him. We know whom we have trusted.
III. The great encouragement he gives to others to do likewise, not only from his own experience of the comfort of it (for in that there might possibly be a fallacy), but from the truth of God's promise, in which there neither is nor can be any deceit (Psa 91:3, Psa 91:4, etc.): Surely he shall deliver thee. Those who have themselves found the comfort of making God their refuge cannot but desire that others may do so. Now here it is promised,
1.That believers shall be kept from those mischiefs which they are in imminent danger of, and which would be fatal to them (Psa 91:3), from the snare of the fowler, which is laid unseen and catches the unwary prey on a sudden, and from the noisome pestilence, which seizes men unawares and against which there is no guard. This promise protects, (1.) The natural life, and is often fulfilled in our preservation from those dangers which are very threatening and very near, while yet we ourselves are not apprehensive of them, any more than the bird is of the snare of the fowler. We owe it, more than we are sensible, to the care of the divine Providence that we have been kept from infectious diseases and out of the hands of the wicked and unreasonable. (2.) The spiritual life, which is protected by divine grace from the temptations of Satan, which are as the snares of the fowler, and from the contagion of sin, which is the noisome pestilence. He that has given grace to be the glory of the soul will create a defence upon all that glory.
2.That God himself will be their protector; those must needs be safe who have him for their keeper, and successful for whom he undertakes (Psa 91:4): He shall cover thee, shall keep thee secret (Psa 31:20), and so keep thee safe, Psa 27:5. God protects believers, (1.) With the greatest tenderness and affection, which is intimated in that, He shall cover thee with his feathers, under his wings, which alludes to the hen gathering her chickens under wings, Mat 23:37. By natural instinct she not only protects them, but calls them under that protection when she sees them in danger, not only keeps them safe, but cherishes them and keeps them warm. To this the great God is pleased to compare his care of his people, who are helpless as the chickens, and easily made a prey of, but are invited to trust under the shadow of the wings of the divine promise and providence, which is the periphrasis of a proselyte to the true religion, that he has come to trust under the wings of the God of Israel, Rut 2:12. (2.) With the greatest power and efficacy. Wings and feathers, though spread with the greatest tenderness, are yet weak, and easily broken through, and therefore it is added, His truth shall be thy shield and buckler, a strong defence. God is willing to guard his people as the hen is to guard the chickens, and as able as a man of war in armour.
3.That he will not only keep them from evil, but from the fear of evil, Psa 91:5, Psa 91:6. Here is, (1.) Great danger supposed; the mention of it is enough to frighten us; night and day we lie exposed, and those that are apt to be timorous will in neither period think themselves safe. When we are retired into our chambers, our beds, and have made all as safe as we can about us, yet there is terror by night, from thieves and robbers, winds and storms, besides those things that are the creatures of fancy and imagination, which are often most frightful of all. We read of fear in the night, Sol 3:8. There is also a pestilence that walketh in darkness, as that was which slew the first-born of the Egyptians, and the army of the Assyrians. No locks nor bars can shut out diseases, while we carry about with us in our bodies the seeds of them. But surely in the day-time, when we can look about us, we are not so much in danger; yes, there is an arrow that flieth by day too, and yet flies unseen; there is a destruction that wasteth at high-noon, when we are awake and have all our friends about us; even then we cannot secure ourselves, nor can they secure us. It was in the day-time that that pestilence wasted which was sent to chastise David for numbering the people, on occasion of which some think this psalm was penned. But, (2.) Here is great security promised to believers in the midst of this danger: "Thou shalt not be afraid. God by his grace will keep thee from disquieting distrustful fear (that fear which hath torment) in the midst of the greatest dangers. Wisdom shall keep thee from being causelessly afraid, and faith shall keep thee from being inordinately afraid. Thou shalt not be afraid of the arrow, as knowing that though it may hit thee it cannot hurt thee; if it take away the natural life, yet it shall be so far from doing any prejudice to the spiritual life that it shall be its perfection." A believer needs not fear, and therefore should not fear, any arrow, because the point is off, the poison is out. O death! where is thy sting? It is also under divine direction, and will hit where God appoints and not otherwise. Every bullet has its commission. Whatever is done our heavenly Father's will is done; and we have no reason to be afraid of that.
4.That they shall be preserved in common calamities, in a distinguishing way (Psa 91:7): "When death rides in triumph, and diseases rage, so that thousands and ten thousands fall, fall by sickness, or fall by the sword in battle, fall at thy side, at thy right hand, and the sight of their fall is enough to frighten thee, and if they fall by the pestilence their falling so near thee may be likely to infect thee, yet it shall not come nigh thee, the death shall not, the fear of death shall not." Those that preserve their purity in times of general corruption may trust God with their safety in times of general desolation. When multitudes die round about us, though thereby we must be awakened to prepare for our own death, yet we must not be afraid with any amazement, nor make ourselves subject to bondage, as many do all their life-time, through fear of death, Heb 2:15. The sprinkling of blood secured the first-born of Israel when thousands fell. Nay, it is promised to God's people that they shall have the satisfaction of seeing, not only God's promises fulfilled to them, but his threatenings fulfilled upon those that hate them (Psa 91:8): Only with thy eyes shalt thou behold and see the just reward of the wicked, which perhaps refers to the destruction of the first-born of Egypt by the pestilence, which was both the punishment of the oppressors and the enlargement of the oppressed; this Israel saw when they saw themselves unhurt, untouched. As it will aggravate the damnation of sinners that with their eyes they shall behold and see the reward of the righteous (Luk 13:28), so it will magnify the salvation of the saints that with their eyes they shall behold and see the destruction of the wicked, Isa 66:24; Psa 58:10.
Many then fell before the demon of the noon-day. Would ye know how many? He goes on, and says, "A thousand shall fall beside you, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you" [Psalm 91:7]. To whom, brethren, but to Christ Jesus, is this said?...For the members, the body, and the head, are not separate from one another: the body and the head are the Church and her Saviour. How then is it said, "A thousand shall fall beside you, and ten thousand by your right hand"? Because they shall fall before the devil, that destroys at noon. It is a terrible thing, my brethren, to fall from beside Christ, from His right hand but how shall they fall from beside Him? Why the one beside Him, the other at His right hand? Why a thousand beside Him, ten thousand at His right hand? Why a thousand beside Him? Because a thousand are fewer than the ten thousand who shall fall at His right hand. Who these are will soon be clear in Christ's name; for to some He promised that they should judge with Him, namely, to the Apostles, who left all things, and followed Him....Those judges then are the heads of the Church, the perfect. To such He said, "If you will be perfect, go and sell that you have, and give to the poor." [Matthew 19:21] What means the expression, "if you will be perfect"? It means, if you will judge with Me, and not be judged....Many such at that period, who had distributed their all to the poor, and already promised themselves a seat beside Christ in judgment of the nations, failed amid their torments under the blazing fire of persecution, as before the demon of the noon-day, and denied Christ. These are they who have fallen "beside" Him: when about to sit with Christ for the judgment of the world, they fell.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 91:7 stands as a powerful declaration of divine protection amidst overwhelming peril, assuring the trusting believer of God's sovereign shield. It paints a vivid, hyperbolic picture of widespread devastation, with thousands perishing in immediate proximity, yet unequivocally promises that such calamity will not reach the one abiding in God's presence. This verse serves as a profound testament to God's unique power to preserve His faithful from the most extreme dangers, offering deep peace and an antidote to fear by emphasizing that ultimate security resides in Him alone.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 91:7 masterfully employs several Literary Devices to convey its powerful message of divine protection. Hyperbole is prominently used with the escalating numbers "a thousand" and "ten thousand," which are not literal counts but powerful exaggerations designed to illustrate the immense scale and overwhelming nature of the surrounding danger. This rhetorical exaggeration serves to heighten the miraculous aspect of the divine deliverance. Contrast is central to the verse, starkly juxtaposing the widespread death and destruction ("thousands shall fall") with the absolute immunity of the believer ("it shall not come nigh thee"). This vivid opposition emphasizes the unique and supernatural nature of God's protection. Imagery is powerfully invoked, painting a vivid picture of bodies falling around the protected individual, allowing the reader to visualize the dire circumstances and the divine shield. While not full Personification, there is an implied sense of calamity as an active entity that attempts to "come nigh" but is supernaturally prevented, giving it an active role in the scene. The verse's structure also demonstrates a powerful Climax from "a thousand" to "ten thousand," leading to the ultimate, definitive, and emphatic promise of safety.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 91:7 is a profound theological statement on God's active, sovereign, and specific protection over His people. It speaks to the undeniable reality of a fallen world, where suffering, disease, and conflict are pervasive, yet simultaneously proclaims God's power to create a sphere of safety for those who trust Him. This protection is not merely passive but an active, deliberate intervention, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. It powerfully underscores the biblical theme that true security is found not in worldly defenses, human strength, or fleeting circumstances, but in intimate communion and unwavering reliance upon the Almighty. While not promising absolute immunity from all physical suffering or death in a fallen world, it assures ultimate spiritual and existential security, guaranteeing that no true harm or separation from God can ultimately befall those who abide in Him.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 91:7 offers tremendous encouragement and a vital call to faith for believers navigating the complexities and adversities of contemporary life. In a world frequently marked by global pandemics, economic instability, social unrest, and personal trials, this verse calls us to cultivate a deep, unwavering trust in God's faithfulness and His active presence. It serves as a powerful reminder that our ultimate security comes from Him alone, not from worldly safeguards, human ingenuity, or fleeting circumstances. While we are not promised a life devoid of challenges, the verse assures us that even when surrounded by overwhelming peril, God's presence provides an invisible barrier, a spiritual immunity to the destructive forces that would otherwise consume us. This includes not only physical dangers but also spiritual warfare, the schemes of the adversary, and the moral decay of the age. Our appropriate response is to "dwell in the secret place of the Most High," cultivating a continuous, intimate relationship with God, allowing His promises to anchor our souls and dispel fear, knowing that He is our ultimate refuge and strength in every season.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse promise that believers will never experience physical harm or death?
Answer: While Psalms 91:7 powerfully declares God's protection, it's crucial to interpret it within the broader biblical narrative and the reality of a fallen world. It does not guarantee absolute immunity from all physical suffering, illness, or even death. Many faithful believers throughout history have faced persecution, sickness, and martyrdom, demonstrating that God's protection is not always a shield from physical pain or the ultimate end of earthly life. Rather, the verse emphasizes God's sovereign care and ultimate preservation. It assures that no true, ultimate, or spiritual harm can befall those who are in Christ. It speaks to a divine shield that prevents the intended destructive outcome of calamity from reaching the believer, often preserving life, but always preserving their eternal soul and purpose in God. The promise that "no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling" (Psalms 91:10) signifies that God's people are under His special watch, and even in death, they are ultimately delivered into His presence and eternal security.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 91:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament promise speaks of physical and temporal protection, Christ embodies the complete and eternal security for all who trust in Him. He is the true "secret place of the Most High" (Psalms 91:1), the ultimate refuge where believers abide under the shadow of the Almighty. When "a thousand fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand," representing the pervasive power of sin, death, and the devil, Christ's decisive victory on the cross ensures that these spiritual calamities "shall not come nigh" the believer in a salvific sense. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15), conquered death itself (Hebrews 2:14-15), and secured an eternal inheritance for His followers. The protection promised in Psalms 91:7 is ultimately realized in the New Covenant, where believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13), kept by God's power unto salvation (1 Peter 1:5), and assured that nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). Thus, in Christ, the promise of immunity from ultimate spiritual destruction is absolute and eternal.