1.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Without a Title, as are all the Psalms in Book IV, except 90, 101, 103. See notes on p. 809. If by Moses, then the "I" of the members (Psalms 91:2 ), and (Psalms 91:9 -), may be Joshua, a type of Messiah. Compare Deuteronomy 1:38 ; Deuteronomy 3:28 ; Deuteronomy 31:7 , Deuteronomy 31:23 . If Moses were the author (this Psalm following his), then all the Scriptures quoted in Matthew 4 were from his writings. Note the references to Deuteronomy 32:1-14 . It is not David's, for we have no more right to insert the name of "David" where it is not written, than to take it out where it is.
the MOST HIGH. Hebrew. 'Elyon. App-4 .
THE ALMIGHTY. Hebrew Shaddai. App-4 .
2.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
I will say. Messiah speaks. See 2, above.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
trust = confide. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .
3.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
feathers. wings. Note the Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ) throughout the Psalm.
trust = flee for refuge. Hebrew. hasah. App-69 . Not the same word as in Psalms 91:2 .
His truth. See note on "shield" (Psalms 84:9 ).
buckler = coat of mail. Occurs only here.
5.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6.
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .
9.
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
Because Thou, &c. Hebrew reads "For thou, O LORD, [art] my refuge. "The change of person marks the Structure, and is not due to "textual corruption".
Which is. Omit these italics.
Even, &c. Hebrew reads "The MOST HIGH [thou hast made] thy habitation", supplying the Ellipsis from the preceding line.
10.
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .
dwelling = tent. Some codices, with one early printed edition and Aramaean, read "tents" (plural) See notes on p. 809.
11.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
He shall give. See Matthew 4:6 . Luke 4:10 .
in all thy ways. These words were omitted by Satan, the Scripture being misquoted and misapplied. The words "at any time" are added in Matthew 4:6 . Verse 13 is also omitted, because it refers to Satan's own head being crushed (Genesis 3:15 ).
12.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
bear thee up. Compare Psalms 94:18 .
in = on,
13.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
adder: or asp.
14.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
hath set His love. Hebrew. hashak. Indicates the deepest affection. Compare Deuteronomy 7:7 ; Deuteronomy 10:15 ; Isaiah 38:17 . Only here in the Psalms.
My name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .
15.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
honour = glorify.
16.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
long life = length of days.