PSALM XCI _The safety of the godly man, and his confidence_, 1, 2. _How he is defended and preserved_, 3-10. _The angels of God are his servants_, 11, 12; _and he shall tread on the necks of his adversaries_, 13. _What God says of, and promises to, such a person_, 14-16. NOTES ON PSALM XCI T... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 91:2. _I WILL SAY OF THE LORD_] This is my experience: "He is my fortress, and in him will I continually trust.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 91:3. _SURELY HE SHALL DELIVER THEE_] If thou wilt act thus, then the God in whom thou trustest will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, from all the devices of Satan, and from all dangerous maladies. As the original word, דבר _dabar_, signifies a _word spoken_, and _deber_, the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 91:4. _HE SHALL COVER THEE WITH HIS FEATHERS_] He shall act towards thee as the hen does to her brood, - take thee under his wings when birds of prey appear, and also shelter thee from chilling blasts. This is a frequent metaphor in the sacred writings; see the parallel texts in the _m... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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 devi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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 perfec... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 91:9. _BECAUSE THOU HAST MADE THE LORD_] Seeing thou hast taken Jehovah, the Most High, for thy portion and thy refuge, _no evil_ _shall come nigh thy dwelling_; thou shalt be safe in thy soul, body, household, and property, Psalms 91:10. Every pious man may expect such protection from... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 91:11. _HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER THEE_] Evil spirits may attempt to injure thee; but they shall not be able. The _angels of God_ shall have an especial charge to accompany, defend, and preserve thee; and against their power, the influence of evil spirits cannot prevail. Thes... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 91:12. _THEY SHALL BEAR THEE UP IN_ THEIR _HANDS_] Take the same care of thee as a _nurse_ does of a weak and tender child; lead thee,-teach thee to walk,-lift thee up out of the way of danger, "lest thou shouldst dash thy foot against a stone," receive any kind of injury, or be prevent... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 91:13. _THOU SHALT TREAD UPON THE LION AND ADDER_] Even the king of the forest shall not be able to injure thee; should one of these attack thee, the angels whom God sends will give thee an easy victory over him. And even the asp, (פתן _pethen_,) one of the most venomous of serpents, sh... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 91:14. _BECAUSE HE HATH SET HIS LOVE UPON ME_] Here the _Most_ _High_ is introduced as confirming the word of his servant. He has fixed his _love _- his heart and soul, on me. _THEREFORE WILL I DELIVER HIM_] I will save him in all troubles, temptations, and evils of every kind. _I WIL... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 91:15. _HE SHALL CALL UPON ME_] He must _continue to pray_; all his blessings _must come in this way_; when he _calls_, I will _answer_ him - I will give him whatever is best for him. _I_ WILL BE _WITH HIM IN TROUBLE_] Literally, _I am with him_. עמו אנכי immo anochi; as soon as the tr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 91:16. _WITH LONG LIFE_] Literally, _With length of days will I_ _fill him up_. He shall neither live a useless life, nor die before his time. He shall live happy and die happy. _AND SHOW HIM MY SALVATION._] ואראהו בשועתי _vearehu bishuathi_, "I will make him see (or contemplate) in m... [ Continue Reading ]