Psalms 91
PATThe author of this Psalm is not known, but the occasion seems to have been some great pestilence; in which the Psalmist commends an humble confidence in God, and * ardent love to him, as the best security both in that and. in all other dangers. Maimonides thinks (as other of the rabbins also do) that the, Psalmist hath a peculiar respect to the incursions of evil spirits, ver. 5, 0..as in the folvol, in. lowing verses, 7, 8. to those mischiefs which may come, from the hand of evil men. And as far as those spirits had any hand in the pestilence here spoken of, his opinion is true; and his words in general arc very significant, that the Psalmist here treats elegantly* of that great Providence which protects and keeps us front all evils, both universal and particular, &c. Thus he discourses in his More Nevochim,’ par. iii. cap. 51. where we have the reason of that name which is given to this Psalm by the Talmudists; who call it A Song of evil Spirits. (See Bnxtorf. Lex. Talmud, in the word W3.) Now there is no pestilence so likely to have given occasion to this Psalm, as that in the latter end of David’s reign; who, having numbered the people, and not made those acknowledgments to God which the law in that case pre-^ scribed, (Exod. xii.) had this sad choice given him by • the prophet Gad — whether he would be punished for his’ negligence by famine, or by the sword of his enemies, or by pestilence. And submitting to the last (which God sent a destroying angel to inflict, 2 Sam. xxiv. 15, 1G.) was taught, it is not unlikely, by that prophet, called’ David’s seer, to recommend himself to the Divine pro-* tection, in the words of this Psalm. For that David him-* self was the author, as some conceive, is not so probable; because there is no suchconfession of his sin, and deprecation of the Divine displeasure, in this Psalm, as we read he made on this occasion, 2 Sam. xxiv. IChron. xxi. unless we will imagine that he made this Psalm after* that plague; to direct and excite all others to make God their refuge, as he had done in such-like calamities. And this is far more probable, than that it should be made by Moses, as some of the Hebrews fancy; for none of the plagues in his time were so great as that in David’s: and the most of them fell on those whom God had condemned to die in the wilderness (as he in the foregoing Ps£flm commemorates), and therefore he could not promise long life to them upon any terms; as the Psalmist here. doth to the man that confides in God, (ver. l(i.) The ancient interpreters by schacal (which commonly signifies a lion) do so unanimously understand some kind of serpent, and not without reason (as Bochartus hath demonstrated), that I have followed w them in my paraphrase of ver. 13. and made no mention of thoso beasts’ of prey, but only of venomous creatures. Ver.l. JUe that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most* High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.] It is* an undoubted truth, that he who always makes the Divine Providence his sanctuary, and, commending himself to the protection of the Most High, rests in that, and troubles himself no farther, need not fear any danger whatsoever: but think himself safe and secure in his custody; who, as he is almighty, so will never fail those that piously confide in him. of the Divine perfections; wbiclr infinitely transcend “all that can be said, or thought of them.,
Psalms 91:1
JlT is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High. Now is’ the proper season to give thanks unto the Lord, for all the benefits w r e have received from him: and it is no less delightful, than it is profitable, to sing hymns, in the praise
Psalms 91:2
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my * fortress: my God; in Jiim will I trust. And therefore I will now encourage my soul to flee unto the Lord for shelter/ saying, I have no confidence in any thing but him alone: he is a better defence than the most impregnable fortress;’ being the sovereign of the world, and so good to me, uponall’occasions,’that I will never distrust his kindness. To sheiv forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.] This is the sweetest employment in the morning; and no entertainment equal to it at night: to commemorate and declare to all, how bountiful thou art; and how faithful in performing thy promises to those who depend on thy almighty goodness.
Psalms 91:3
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the 2A Microsoft ® [psalm xdn. fawler, and from the noisome pestilence.* I doubt not but lie will deliver thee from all unseen dangers; particularly from tins most destructive pestilence; whose venom catches men as insensibly and suddenly as tho snare doth the bird, when it is laid by a cunning fowler. Upon an instrument often strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp ivith a solemn sound.] Which ought to be celebrated with a full concert, not only of our cheerful voices, but of all the instruments of music.
Psalms 91:4
He shall cover thee tvith his feathers, and under Ids wings shall thou tnist: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. He will affectionately defend thee, as a hen doth her young ones under her wings: and therefore trust to his benign.providence, and depend upon his faithful word; opposing that to all the dangers which threaten thee, as a soldier doth his shield and buckler to the darts and thrusts of his enemies. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the toorks of thy hands.] For all arc too little, O Lord, to express the joy 1 have in the acts of thy providence; by whom, as the world was made, so it is still governed: it ravishes my spirit, and makes me shout for joy, to think how excellently thou orderest and disposest all things.
Psalms 91:5
Thou shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arroiv that flieth by day. Then thou needest not to be afraid, either of murderers and robbers; whose sudden attempts in the night make them more dreadful: nor of insurrections, and popular tumults, and the open assaults of any adversaries. O Lord, liow great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.] Whose administration, though I cannot fully comprehend, yet I admire and applaud the astonishing greatness of thy works; and reverence the unsearchable depth of thy counsels and designs.
Psalms 91:6
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that tvastetk at noon-day. No, nor of those infectious diseases which arise from unknown causes: nor of those malignant fevers which rage in the hottest season of the year. ♦ A brutish mam knoiveth not; neither doth a fool understand this.] Of which a stupid man, who looks not beyond his senses, is so wholly ignorant, that seeing himself, and other such-like fools, prosper and thrive, while better men are in trouble and affliction, he presently concludes, thou dost not meddle in our affairs; but leavest all to chance: forhe doth not understand so much as this secret:
Psalms 91:7
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Whereby, though whole towns and countries be depopulated, a thousand falling on the left hand, and ten thousand on the? right hand, of thee, thou shalt remain untouched in that mortality: When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever.] That when the lewdest men grow rich, high, and powerful; and their interest is such, that by their means all the workers of iniquity, and few other men, arc promoted; the reason is, because nothing in this world is of any great value, nor of any long continuance; but, after they have flourished awhile in an empty glory, they shall be cut down like grass; and, which is more, never rise up again. Ver. 8* But thou, Lord, art most high for evermore.] And that thou, who rulest all things, though far out of their sight, canst as well punish or reward men hereafter, as at present; being the eternal Lord.
Psalms 91:8
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. And only be a spectator of the Divine vengeance, in punishing wicked offenders so visibly, that thou canst not but observe his righteous judgments, (2 Sam. xxiv. 15, 16.)
Psalms 91:9
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation. Because I have placed my confidence and hope in thee, O Lord, who art a sanctuary to which no violence can approach. For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.] Who shewest thou dost not intend to let the wicked escape, though now they ilourish;, for thou hast begun already to give thy enemies, who have long prospered, a remarkable defeat: they have received such a notable blow, that I am confident they shall perish; and all their partakers, though never so numerous and strongly linked together, be dispersed and utterly destroyed.;
Psalms 91:10
There shall no evil befal thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Therefore rest still assured, O my soul, that he will suffer no mischief to befal thee, nor let this plague seize upon thy family. But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.] But my power and authority thou shalt raise to a formidable height: and crown that dignity with such undisturbed joy and pleasure, as shall prove the pious are not always miserable;
Psalms 91:11
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. But give his angels, who are always ready to obey his commands, a strict charge to take care of thee, and to preserve thee whithersoever thou goest. Because he hath set his love upoti t me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.] For so hath the Lord declared his will and pleasure to be, when he gave commission to his angels concerning me, saying, Because he heartily loves me, and delights in me, therefore will I deliver him from all present danger, and raise him above the reach of all future: because he hath acknowledged me to be the only safe refuge, and relied on my power for his protection. Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of, the wicked that rise up against me.] Nor the wicked always prosperous: “for to all other pleasures this shall be added, that I shall see those deprived of all power who have long watched to “do me mischief: or certainly hear of the min of thdse malicious men, who set themselves with all their -might to destroy me.
Psalms 91:12
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. They shall as diligently attend’ thee, as a nurse doth her child: guiding, supporting, and defending thee, with such a solicitous affection, that the least harm shall not befal thee. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon^] Which may be an encouragement to every good man to hope in God, and not question the justice of his providence, if at present he be afflicted: for as he shall overturn all his enemies at the, last, so he will make the righteous flourish (not as the wicked do, like the grass, ver. 7. but) in a durable prosperity, like the fruitful palm and the stately cedar in Le<- ban on. n
Psalms 91:13
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. No, shouldest thou come among serpents, asps, and dragons, with all the rest of those venomous sorts of creatures, they shall not be able to do thee hurt; but thou shalt victoriously trample upon them and triumph over them, (Luke x.I!). Mark xvi. 18.) Tliose that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.] For they are under the care of the Lord our God, whose house they frequent: and there partake of his Divine blessing, for the growth and increase of their happiness.
Psalms 91:14
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing. Which shall not decay, as the strength and freshness of those trees will do with age; but the older they grow, the more happy fruits shall their piety produce: and they shall abound in wealth and honour as much as they do in that.
Psalms 91:15
He shall call %ipon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. I will grant him all his petitions; especially when he is in any distress, I will be present with him to afford him suitable comfort: and not only preserve him from perishing, but, after a happy deliverance, make him great and illustrious. To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.’] To demonstrate to all the world that the Lord is a most impartial governor, whom I have found my firm’ and unmoveable friend: and, assure yourselves, is so just and kind, that he will never let wickedness go unpunished, nor virtue be always. unrewarded.
Psalms 91:16
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew htm my salvation. And more than that, he shall have the satisfaction of enjoying his honour to a great old age: and when his strength fails him, I will not; but still give him evident proofs of my care of him, and kindness towards him. PSALM XC1L A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath-Day.‘ARGUMENT. If Adam had made this Psalm, presently after he was created, in the evening of the sabbath (which is a rabbinical fancy, mentioned in the Midrasch upon this place), sure it would have been set in this fourth book of Psalms before that of Moses: who may more probably be conceived to have composed it, to raise the hearts of the Israelites to the proper business of the sabbath-day: which was to praise God, when they meditated upon his wonderful works, not only of creation, but of providence in the government of the world. Several instances of which, in rewarding the good, and punishing the wicked, they themselves had seen since they came out of Egypt: and were to see more when they came into the land of Canaan; to keep their sabbath or rest there, after their long travels in the deserts: w T ith respect to which, some think Moses might call this A Psalm for the Sabbath- Day. But there is no certainty of these things; or rather it is certain, that neither of these conjectures is true. For as Adam in Paradise had no enemies to rise up against him, nor was troubled with any workers of iniquity, (such as we read of ver. 7. 11.) and there were no psalteries, harps, and instruments of music, then made, which Moses himself tells us wero found out by Jubal; so those instruments were not employed in the service of God till the days of David: who may therefore more reasonably bo thought to have made this Psalm for the sabbath, than either of the other; after God had given him such rest round about from all his e?iemies, 2 Sam. vii. 1. that he concluded he should be able to subdue those who should hereafter adventure to oppose him: such as those mentioned in the following chapter, viii. 10.