Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 91

1 HE that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty .

Or, hiding place. He that makes God his habitation and refuge, as he is called below, v. 9. resorting to him and relying upon him in his dangers and difficulties.

He shall not be disappointed of his hope, but shall find a quiet and safe repose under the Divine protection. A shadow in Scripture phrase commonly signifies protection. See Gen. 19. 8. Iudg. 9. 15. Psal. 17. 8. &c.

Marginal references: Psal. 27. 4, 5▪ & 31. 20.; Heb. lodge.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge , and my fortress: my God, in him will I trust.

Upon that ground I will confidently commit my self and all my affairs to God.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler: and from the noisom Pestilence .

O thou believing pious Soul who after my example shale make God thy refuge, thou shalt partake of the same priviledge which I enjoy.

From the Pestilence which like a Fowlers snare taketh men suddenly and unexpectedly, and holdeth them fast, and commonly delivers them up to Death.

Marginal references: Psal. 124. [illegible: 1+ letters].

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Whereby he is obliged to fulfil all his gracious promises, and amongst the rest, that of protection in dangers.

Marginal references: Psal. 57. 1.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night , nor for the arrow that fleeth by day :

When evil accidents are most terrible and least avoidable.

The Pestilence or any such common and destructive Calamity; for such are frequently called Gods arrows, as Deut. 32. 23, 42. Lam. 3. 12, 13, &c.

Which is the time for shooting of Arrows. The sence of the Verse is, He shall be kept from secret and open mischiefs at all times.

Marginal references: Job 5. 19, &c▪ Prov. 3. 23. Isai. 43. 2.

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness : nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day .

This Verse explains the former, and sheweth what that terror and arrow signifies.

That spreadeth or maketh progress.

Either invisibly, so as we can neither foresee nor prevent it. Or rather, by night; as v. 5.

That like a bold Enemy assaults us openly, and though discovered cannot be resisted.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side , and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee .

At thy left side, because this is opposed to the right side here following. See the like Ellipsis, Numb. 9. 16. Psal. 84. 11.

This and such like promises are not to be understood absolutely and universally, as if no truly good man could be cut off by the Plague or other common Calamities, which is confused both by other plain Texts of Scripture and by unquestionable experience, but with due limitations and conditions, either on mans part, as if there be a defect in his Faith or Obedience▪ or on Gods part, when God sees that Death is more for his good than life, as it apparently is when righteous men are taken away from the evil to come, as is said Isa. 57. 1. In which case though God doth not give the thing promised, yet he giveth a far greater mercy in stead of it, and so fulfils his promise in the best sence and with most advantage. As if one man should solemnly promise to another to give him his daily food every day, he not onely might but ought, notwithstanding this promise, to deny and withdraw this food when his body is so distempered that in the judgment of the wisest Physicians the taking of his food would evidently endanger his life.

8 Onely with thine eyes shalt thou behold , and see the reward of the wicked .

Without any terrour or danger to thy self, and with a delightful and thankful reflection upon Gods goodness to thee.

The just recompence of their sins, or the vengeance of God upon them.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters]. 34.

9 Because thou hast made the LORD which is my refuge, even the most High thy habitation .

Or, as the words ly in the Hebrew and others render them. Because thou, O Lord, art my refuge, thou O my Soul (which is easily understood out of the foregoing words, and to which David oft suddenly turneth his speech) hast made the most high thine habitation. Which is the only ground and reason of that safety last mentioned. As for the variation of persons, that he sometimes speaketh to and of others, and sometimes to and of himself, nothing is more frequent in this Book; nor doth it make any alteration in the sence.

10 There shall no evil befal thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling .

To wit, so as to destroy thee, as the next Verse limits and expounds it. For surely this promise is not made to all his Children and Servants, who may possibly be wicked men, and so strangers from Gods Covenant and Promises. How far this secures his own person, see on v. 7.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways .

Those blessed and powerful and watchful spirits, whom God hath appointed to mind the affairs of this lower World, and to take care of the Heirs of Salvation, Heb. 1. 14.

In the whole course of thy life, and in all thy lawful undertakings.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] ▪ 34. 7. [illegible: 1 word] ▪ 4. 6. [illegible: 1 word] 4. 10.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands , lest thou dash thy foot against a stone .

Sustain or uphold thee in thy goings, as we do a Child or a weakly man, especially in uneven or dangerous paths. Or, shall carry thee aloft as upon Eagles Wings, when it shall be needful for thee.

So as to hurt thy foot, or to cause thee to fall.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] ▪ with.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion , and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

The Lyon shall lie prostrate at thy feet, and thou shalt securely put thy feet upon his neck, as the Israelites did upon the necks of the Canaanitish Kings, Ios. 10. 24.

By which he synecdochically understands all pernicious Creatures, though never so strong and fierce and subtil, and all sorts of Enemies.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] ▪ [illegible: 1 word] ▪

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 .

This and the two following Verses are the words of God, whom the Psalmist here, as oft elsewhere, introduceth as giving an account of the reasons of Gods singular care of all believing or pious persons.

I will abundantly recompence his love with my favour and blessing.

In an high and safe place, where no evil can reach him.

With a true and saving knowledge, so as to love me and put his trust in me. Gods name is here put for God himself, as it is also Deut. 28. 58. Psal. 20. 2. and 115. 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.

To wit, in trouble, which is expressed in the following clause. As he knoweth and loveth me, so he will offer up sincere and fervent Prayers to me upon all occasions.

To keep him from sinking under his burden.

Marginal references: Psal. 50. 15.

16 With long life will I satisfie him, and shew him my salvation .

Either in this World, when it is expedient for my service and for his benefit: or, at least, in the next World▪ where he shall live to Eternity in the blissful sight and enjoyment of God in glory.

Either here or hereafter.

Marginal references: Heb. length of days.