Psalms 91
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
A Psalm-song--(see on Psa 30:1, title). The theme: God should be praised for His righteous judgments on the wicked and His care and defense of His people. Such a topic, at all times proper, is specially so for the reflections of the Sabbath day. (Psa 92:1-15) sing . . . name--celebrate Thy perfections.
Open source ↗He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High,.... Or the Supreme; a title of God, who is superior to all beings, the Creator and Preserver of them, God over all, higher than the highest of angels or men; see Gen 14:22, "his secret place" is his heart, his bosom, where his only begotten Son lies; and into which he takes his people, where they are set as a seal, and who enjoy intimate communion with him; which is no other than his gracious presence, called "the secret of his presence", Psa 31:20, which none but saints are admitted to, when his everlasting love, which was a secret in his heart, is made known unto them, and in which they also dwell, Jo1 4:16, as they likewise do in the eternal decree of election; which perhaps is meant by "the clefts of the rock, and secret places of the stairs", where the church is said to dwell, Sol 2:14, unless rather Christ the Rock, and who may be signified by the cleft of that Moses was put into, when the goodness of the Lord passed before him, is intended; and who is the hiding place from the wind: mention is made of "the secret" of God's "tabernacle", Psa 27:5, in which he hides his people; alluding to the tabernacle, or temple, and the most holy place in it, called his secret place, Eze 7:22, and may refer to the ministry of the word and ordinances, where saints dwell, and enjoy much communion with God; and who are particularly under his special providence, protection, and power; which may here be designed: shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty: who is able to do all things for his people, and is "Shaddai", all sufficient, as this word is thought to signify; has a sufficiency of happiness in and for himself, and of provisions for all his creatures, and of power and grace for his own children: his "shadow" may be the…
Open source ↗As the concealing One, God is called עליון, the inaccessibly high One; and as the shadowing One שׁדּי, the invincibly almighty One. Faith, however, calls Him by His covenant name (Heilsname) יהוה and, with the suffix of appropriation, אלהי (my God). In connection with Psa 91:1 we are reminded of the expressions of the Book of Job, Job 39:28, concerning the eagle's building its nest in its eyrie. According to the accentuation, Psa 91:2 ought to be rendered with Geier, "Dicit: in Domino meo (or Domini) latibulum, etc." But the combination אמר לה is more natural, since the language of address follows in both halves of the verse.
Open source ↗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 i…
Open source ↗Ps 91 This wisdom psalm expresses confidence in the Almighty God, who provides a shelter for those who take refuge in him. They receive redemption, life, and glory from the Lord, who loves and cares for those who seek him. 91:1-2 The Lord is an ancient shelter (see 90:1), open to those who seek refuge in him. 91:1 The Most High is an ancient title that expresses the Lord’s exalted status as the ruler and protector of the godly (see Gen 14:19).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… סֵתֶר (çêther, H5643) — a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense) עֶלְיוֹן (ʻelyôwn, H5945) — an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as title, the Supreme לוּן (lûwn, H3885) — to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense)… צֵל (tsêl, H6738) — shade, whether literal or figurative שַׁדַּי (Shadday, H7706) — the Almighty
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מַחֲסֶה (machăçeh, H4268) — a shelter (literally or figuratively) מָצוּד (mâtsûwd, H4686) — a net, or (abstractly) capture; also a fastness אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
Open source ↗נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense פַּח (pach, H6341) — a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin); also a spring net (as spread out like a lamina) יָקוּשׁ (yâqûwsh, H3353) — properly, entangled, i.e. by implication (intransitively) a snare, or (transitive) a… הַוָּה (havvâh, H1942) — by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin דֶּבֶר (deber, H1698) — a pestilence
Open source ↗סָכַךְ (çâkak, H5526) — properly, to entwine as ascreen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively)… אֶבְרָה (ʼebrâh, H84) — {a pinion} כָּנָף (kânâph, H3671) — an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or… חָסָה (châçâh, H2620) — to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness צִנָּה (tsinnâh, H6793) — a hook (as pointed); also a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness); also cold (as… סֹחֵרָה (çôchêrâh, H5507) — something surrounding the person, i.e. a shield
Open source ↗יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten פַּחַד (pachad, H6343) — a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling) לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity חֵץ (chêts, H2671) — properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God)… עוּף (ʻûwph, H5774) — to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning) יוֹמָם (yôwmâm, H3119) — daily
Open source ↗דֶּבֶר (deber, H1698) — a pestilence הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אֹפֶל (ʼôphel, H652) — dusk קֶטֶב (qeṭeb, H6986) — ruin שׁוּד (shûwd, H7736) — properly, to swell up, i.e. figuratively (by implication of insolence) to devastate צֹהַר (tsôhar, H6672) — a light (i.e. window); dual double light, i.e. noon
Open source ↗אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… צַד (tsad, H6654) — a side; figuratively, an adversary רְבָבָה (rᵉbâbâh, H7233) — abundance (in number), i.e. (specifically) a myriad (whether definite or indefinite) יָמִין (yâmîyn, H3225) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more… נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a…
Open source ↗עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… שִׁלֻּמָה (shillumâh, H8011) — retribution רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מַחֲסֶה (machăçeh, H4268) — a shelter (literally or figuratively) עֶלְיוֹן (ʻelyôwn, H5945) — an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as title, the Supreme מָעוֹן (mâʻôwn, H4583) — an abode, of God (the Tabernacle or the Temple), men (their home) or animals (their…
Open source ↗רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) אָנָה (ʼânâh, H579) — to approach; hence, to meet in various senses נֶגַע (negaʻ, H5061) — a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous… קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
Open source ↗מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Open source ↗נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of… נָגַף (nâgaph, H5062) — to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease) רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone
Open source ↗דָּרַךְ (dârak, H1869) — to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string abow (by treading on it in bending) שַׁחַל (shachal, H7826) — a lion (from his characteristic roar) פֶּתֶן (pethen, H6620) — an asp (from its contortions) כְּפִיר (kᵉphîyr, H3715) — a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane) תַּנִּין (tannîyn, H8577) — a marine or land monster, i.e. sea-serpent or jackal רָמַס (râmaç, H7429) — to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively)
Open source ↗חָשַׁק (châshaq, H2836) — to cling, i.e. join, (figuratively) to love, delight in; elliptically; to deliver פָּלַט (pâlaṭ, H6403) — to slip out, i.e. escape; causatively, to deliver שָׂגַב (sâgab, H7682) — to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong;… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock.
How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!
Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.
For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall,
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand.
Each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in a dry land, like the shadow of a great rock in an arid land.
Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations.
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.