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Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 91:1–8. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
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.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
5 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
When the great David heard and understood this, he [David] said to him “who dwells in the shelter of the most High; He will overshadow you with his shoulders,” which is the same as being behind God (for the shoulder is on the back of the body). Concerning himself David says, “My soul clings close to you, your right hand supports me.” You see how Psalms agree with the history. For as the one says that the right hand is a help to the person who has joined himself close behind God, so the other says that the hand touches the person who waits in the rock on the divine voice and prays that he might follow behind.
“Say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God.’ ” I am hemmed in by enemies. You, therefore, are my refuge. “ ‘In whom I will trust.’ For he will rescue you from the snare of the hunters.’ ” Note carefully that the psalmist did not say “I trust” but “I will trust.” As long as we continue in a life of sin, we certainly are not trusting; if we put an end to sin, then our hope is confident. “For he will rescue you from the snare of the hunters.” There are many hunters in this world that go about setting traps for our soul. Nimrod the giant was a “mighty hunter before the Lord.” Esau, too, was a hunter, for he was a sinner. In all of holy Scripture, never do we find a hunter that is a faithful servant; we do find faithful fishermen.“For he will rescue you from the snare of the hunters.” “We were rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare; broken was the snare, and we were freed.” What snare is this that has been broken? “The Lord,” says the apostle, “will speedily crush Satan under our feet”;10 “that you may recover yourselves from the snare of the devil.” You see, then, that the devil is the hunter, eager to lure our souls unto perdition. The devil is master of many snares, deceptions of all kinds. Avarice is one of his pitfalls, disparagement is his noose, fornication is his bait. “And from the destroying word.” As long as we are in the state of grace, our soul is at peace; but once we begin to play with sin, then our soul is in trouble and is like a boat tossed about by the waves.
“Nor the attack of the noonday demon.” This is better expressed by the Greek. Symptosis implies a chance occurrence when something strange happens unexpectedly; or symptoma may denote a disaster in which many perish at the same time. Grasp, then, what it means. Even though many have been seduced, nevertheless, you who are in the state of grace may escape seduction. I shall give you an example so that even the more simple[-minded] among you may understand what I mean. If you should go to the city, a monk all by yourself, and while you are strolling about you hear a shout in the circus and someone says to you, “Come and see, it is the circus,” and you hold back remonstrating, “I have no permission, I cannot go”; if he should call your attention to the thousands of people there and say to you, “Two hundred thousand people are there, are they all going to be lost, and you alone be saved?” You have to be aware that symptoma is the devil’s own doing. What I am trying to say is that you have to know that many do perish and are lost.
"He shall defend you between His shoulders, and you shall hope under His wings" [Psalm 91:4]. He says this, that your protection may not be to you from yourself, that you may not imagine that you can defend yourself; He will defend you, to deliver you from the hunter's snare, and from an harsh word. The expression, "between His shoulders," may be understood both in front and behind: for the shoulders are about the head; but in the words, "you shall hope under His wings," it is clear that the protection of the wings of God expanded places you between His shoulders, so that God's wings on this side and that have you in the midst, where you shall not fear lest any one hurt you: only be thou careful never to leave that spot, where no foe dares approach. If the hen defends her chickens beneath her wings; how much more shall you be safe beneath the wings of God, even against the devil and his angels, the powers who fly about in mid air like hawks, to carry off the weak young one? For the comparison of the hen to the very Wisdom of God is not without ground; for Christ Himself, our Lord and Saviour, speaks of Himself as likened to a hen; "how often would I have gathered your children," etc. [Matthew 23:37] That Jerusalem would not: let us be willing....If you consider other birds, brethren, you will find many that hatch their eggs, and keep their young warm: but none that weakens herself in sympathy with her chickens, as the hen does. We see swallows, sparrows, and storks outside their nests, without being able to decide whether they have young or no: but we know the hen to be a mother by the weakness of her voice, and the loosening of her feathers: she changes altogether from love for her chickens: she weakens herself because they are weak. Thus since we were weak, the Wisdom of God made Itself weak, when the Word was made flesh, and dwelt in us, [John 1:14] that we might hope under His wings.
“When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, made from a woman, made under the law.” People are upset by “made from a woman,” because we confess that he was born of a virgin. It is only of man that we confess he was made; God is always the one who makes, he cannot be made in order to be. God cannot be made; but he is made into, or becomes, something for someone, in the way in which it is said of him, “Lord, you have become (or have been made into) a refuge for us”; and, “The Lord has become (has been made) my helper.” How many things he has been made into, though he never was made at all! Now the Lord Christ was made man, … in order for him who was always the creator to be a creature. While remaining God, you see, he became man in order to become what he was not, not in order to stop being what he was.
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Summary
Psalms 91:4 is a profound declaration of divine protection and the unwavering security found in trusting God. It masterfully employs the tender imagery of a bird sheltering its young, coupled with the robust metaphor of military defense, to portray God's comprehensive and intimate care. This verse assures believers that God's steadfast faithfulness and unchanging character serve as an impenetrable shield against all threats, inviting a response of confident reliance on His sovereign provision.
Context
Literary Context
Psalms 91 stands as a powerful testament to the security and deliverance God provides for those who dwell in His presence. The psalm opens with the foundational declaration that "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" Psalms 91:1. This establishes the prerequisite for the ensuing promises of protection. Verses 2-3 elaborate on God as a personal refuge and deliverer from snares and pestilence. Verse 4 then introduces a vivid, comforting metaphor, transitioning from general statements of refuge to specific, tender imagery of a bird's protective wings, reinforcing the intimate nature of God's defense before listing various dangers in subsequent verses, such as "the terror by night" Psalms 91:5. The verse thus serves as a pivotal point, grounding the abstract promise of protection in tangible, relatable imagery, bridging the theological assertion with a call to personal trust.
Historical & Cultural Context
The imagery of a bird sheltering its young was universally understood in the ancient Near East as a powerful symbol of tender, vigilant protection, reflecting a common observation of nature. This metaphor would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society familiar with the vulnerability of chicks and the fierce protectiveness of their parent birds. Furthermore, the references to "shield" (Hebrew: tsinnâh) and "buckler" (Hebrew: çôchêrâh) are military terms, highlighting the constant threat of warfare and invasion in the ancient world. A "shield" (tsinnâh) was typically a large, often body-length shield, providing comprehensive coverage, while a "buckler" (çôchêrâh) was something surrounding the person for defense. The combination of these two types of defensive armaments underscores the totality of God's protection. The psalm's audience, living in a world fraught with both visible and unseen dangers—from human adversaries to disease and natural disasters—would have keenly appreciated the promise of such comprehensive divine safeguarding.
Key Themes
Psalms 91:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. The primary theme is Divine Protection and Refuge, emphasizing God's active role as a guardian for His people. This verse specifically highlights the intimate and personal nature of this protection, contrasting with the more abstract idea of refuge found elsewhere in the Psalms, such as in Psalms 46:1. Another crucial theme is Trust and Faithfulness, as the verse explicitly calls for the believer to "trust" under God's wings, underscoring that human reliance is the necessary response to divine provision. This echoes the consistent biblical call to faith, as seen in Proverbs 3:5. Finally, the verse powerfully introduces the theme of God's Truth and Steadfastness as the foundation of security. God's 'emeth (truth/faithfulness) is not merely a characteristic but an active, defensive force, providing an unshakeable basis for the believer's confidence, for example, in Isaiah 25:1.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This word (H571) signifies stability, certainty, truth, and trustworthiness. In the context of Psalms 91:4, 'emeth refers to God's unwavering character, His covenant fidelity, and the absolute certainty of His promises. It is not merely an abstract concept but the very essence of God's being, which provides an unshakeable foundation for the believer's security. God's truth is the bedrock upon which trust is built, ensuring that His protective actions are not arbitrary or fleeting but grounded in His eternal nature.
This term (H6793) refers to a large shield, often associated with a pointed or prickly nature, providing substantial defense. In this verse, it represents God's comprehensive and robust protection, akin to a large defensive barrier that wards off significant threats. Its presence alongside "buckler" emphasizes the multi-faceted and thorough nature of God's safeguarding.
This word (H5507) properly denotes something that surrounds the person, serving as a protective shield. It conveys the idea of an encompassing defense that completely encircles the individual, offering full coverage against dangers. The inclusion of this term highlights God's all-encompassing care, providing a complete and impenetrable barrier around those who trust in Him.
Verse Breakdown
"He shall cover thee with his feathers"
This clause introduces the tender, intimate aspect of God's protection. The imagery of "feathers" (Hebrew: 'ebrâ, H84) evokes a sense of warmth, closeness, and gentle care, much like a mother bird meticulously arranging her plumage to shield her young from the elements or predators. It signifies a personal, immediate, and nurturing form of divine safeguarding, suggesting that God's protection is not distant or impersonal but deeply involved and attentive to the individual.
"and under his wings shalt thou trust"
This phrase builds upon the previous imagery, explicitly linking God's protective action with the human response of faith. "Wings" (Hebrew: kânâph, H3671) further solidifies the metaphor of a bird's shelter, implying a vast, encompassing refuge. The command to "trust" (Hebrew: châçâh, H2620, meaning to flee for protection or to confide in) highlights the necessary active reliance on God. It is an invitation to deliberately place oneself under His sovereign care, finding peace and security in His presence, knowing that He is a safe haven.
"his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler"
This final clause shifts the metaphor from natural imagery to military defense, identifying the very essence of God's character as the ultimate source of protection. "His truth" (Hebrew: 'emeth, H571, referring to His faithfulness, reliability, and steadfastness) is personified as defensive armor. The combination of "shield" (tsinnâh, H6793, a large shield) and "buckler" (çôchêrâh, H5507, something surrounding for defense) emphasizes the comprehensive and multi-faceted nature of God's defense. It assures the believer that God's unchanging nature and unfailing promises provide complete and impenetrable security against all forms of spiritual and physical assault.
Literary Devices
Psalms 91:4 is rich in Imagery, painting vivid pictures that appeal to both comfort and strength. The initial Metaphor of God covering with "feathers" and providing shelter "under his wings" draws on the universally understood protective instincts of a bird, evoking feelings of warmth, safety, and nurturing care. This is a form of Anthropomorphism, attributing animal-like physical characteristics (feathers, wings) to God to make His protective nature more relatable and tangible. The verse then shifts to a different set of Metaphors with "shield and buckler," employing military terminology to convey robust, comprehensive defense. The use of two distinct types of defensive armaments (Merism) emphasizes the totality of God's protection, covering both broad-scale and encompassing threats. Furthermore, the verse employs Personification by presenting "truth" as an active, defensive agent, serving as a shield and buckler. This highlights that God's inherent faithfulness is not merely a passive attribute but an active, powerful force that defends His people.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalms 91:4 profoundly articulates the biblical truth of God's active, personal, and comprehensive protection for those who trust in Him. It underscores the intimate relationship between the believer and God, where divine faithfulness (truth) is the ultimate bulwark against all forms of harm. This verse connects deeply with the broader theological understanding of God as a covenant-keeping God, whose promises are eternally reliable. His character is not merely a source of comfort but the very mechanism of our defense, assuring us that His steadfast love and unwavering fidelity are our most formidable armor. The imagery moves beyond mere physical safety to encompass spiritual and emotional security, rooted in the unchangeable nature of the Almighty.
Reflection and Application
In a world constantly assailed by uncertainties, anxieties, and visible or invisible threats, Psalms 91:4 offers an anchor of profound peace and reassurance. It calls us to shift our gaze from the instability of circumstances to the unshakeable character of God. The imagery of being covered by His feathers and resting under His wings invites us to a place of intimate, childlike trust, where we can find solace and security in His presence. This isn't a passive waiting but an active, deliberate choice to seek refuge in Him, to confide in His power, and to rely on His faithfulness. When we face fears, whether they are personal struggles, global crises, or spiritual battles, this verse reminds us that our ultimate defense is not in our own strength, resources, or human ingenuity, but in the unwavering truth of God. His faithfulness, His promises, and His very nature are the "shield and buckler" that guarantee our safety, providing comprehensive protection for our minds, bodies, and spirits. It encourages us to lean into His steadfast love, knowing that His protective presence is always with us, offering peace and security no matter the circumstances.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the "feathers" and "wings" imagery for God?
The imagery of "feathers" (Hebrew: 'ebrâ, H84) and "wings" (Hebrew: kânâph, H3671) in Psalms 91:4 is a powerful and tender metaphor for God's protective care, drawing from the natural world. It evokes the familiar sight of a mother bird gathering her young under her wings to shield them from predators, harsh weather, or danger. This imagery conveys several layers of meaning:
This metaphor is found elsewhere in Scripture, such as in Deuteronomy 32:11, where God is compared to an eagle stirring its nest and carrying its young on its wings, or in Psalms 57:1, where the psalmist seeks refuge in the shadow of God's wings until calamities pass. It emphasizes that God's protection is not merely a distant act but an intimate, nurturing, and ever-present reality for those who trust Him.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 91:4, with its vivid imagery of divine protection and the steadfastness of God's truth, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's protective presence and the living Truth that serves as our ultimate shield and buckler. Just as the psalmist yearned for refuge under God's wings, Jesus lamented over Jerusalem, expressing His desire to gather its children "as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings" Matthew 23:37, revealing His own divine, protective heart. In Christ, God's truth, His 'emeth, is made manifest; He is "the way, the truth, and the life" John 14:6, the faithful and true witness Revelation 3:14. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus provides the ultimate covering, sheltering us from the wrath of God and the power of sin and death. Our trust is placed not merely in an abstract concept of divine truth, but in the person of Christ, who perfectly revealed God's faithfulness and fulfilled all His promises. He is our true refuge, our hidden life Colossians 3:3, and the one in whom we can confidently draw near to the throne of grace to find help in time of need Hebrews 4:16. Thus, the ancient promise of protection under God's wings and the defense of His truth are fully realized in the person and work of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.