Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 91

He that dwelleth — Everyone who so dwells. The proposition is universal and is designed to embrace all who are in this condition. It is true of one; it is true of all. The word translated “dwelleth” here is a participle from the verb “to sit,” and here means “sitting”: literally, “sitting in the secret place,” and so on. The idea is that of calm repose, of resting, of sitting down—as one does in his dwelling.

In the secret place — On the meaning of this, see the notes at Psalms 27:5. Compare Psalms 31:20 and Psalms 32:7. Abiding where God abides. The idea is that of having one’s home or residence in the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle or the temple, and of sitting with Him in that sacred place.

Of the Most High — Of God, represented as exalted above all, over all the universe.

Shall abide — The margin, as in Hebrew, says “lodge.” That is his home—his resting place—where he lodges, or passes the night. He takes up his lodging there; he makes it his home.

Under the shadow of the Almighty — Under His protection, as if under His wings. Compare the notes at Psalms 17:8. This is a general statement and is designed as an introduction to the whole psalm, or as expressing what the psalm is intended to illustrate: “the blessedness” of the man who thus dwells with God, who makes Him his friend, who makes the home of God his home.

I will say of the Lord - I, the psalmist; I will take this to myself; I will endeavor to secure this blessedness; I will thus abide with God. In view of the blessedness of this condition, and with the hope of securing it to myself, I will adopt this resolution as the purpose of my life. It is what I need; it is what my soul desires.

My refuge and my fortress - I will say of Jehovah, My refuge and my fortress! I will address him as such; I will regard him as such. On the meaning of these terms, see the notes at (Psalms 18:2).

My God - I will address him as my God; as the God whom alone I worship; as the only being to whom the name “God” can properly be applied; as being to me all that is implied in the word God.

In him will I trust - I will repose that confidence in him which is evinced by making my home with him, and seeking permanently to dwell with him.

Surely he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler - The snare or trap set for catching birds; meaning, here, that God will save you from the purposes of wicked people; such purposes can be compared to the devices used to catch birds. On the meaning of the figure used here, see the notes at (Psalms 18:5).

And from the noisome pestilence - The fatal pestilence; the pestilence that spreads death in its march. That is, he can prevent its coming upon you, or he can save you from its ravages while others are dying around you. This promise is not to be understood as absolute, or as meaning that no one who fears God will ever die from the pestilence—for good people do die at such times as well as bad people.

But the idea is that God can preserve us at such a time, and that, as a great law, he will thus be the protector of those who trust him. It is to be remembered that in times of pestilence (as was the case during the prevalence of the Asiatic cholera in 1832 and 1848), very many of the victims are the intemperate, the sensual, and the debased, and that a life of this kind is a predisposing cause of death in such visitations of judgment.

A large part of those who die are of that number. From the danger arising from this cause, of course, the virtuous, the temperate, and the pious are exempt; and this is one of the methods by which God saves those who trust in him from the “noisome pestilence.”

Religion, therefore, to a considerable extent, constitutes a ground of security at such times; nor is there any reason to doubt that, in many cases also, there may be a special interposition protecting the friends of God from danger and sparing them for future usefulness. The promise here is substantially that general promise which we have in the Scriptures everywhere, that God is the Protector of his people, and that they may put their trust in him.

He shall cover you with his feathers ... - As the parent bird protects its young. See the notes at Psalm 17:8. Compare Deuteronomy 32:11. His truth. His unfailing promise; the certainty that what he has promised to do he will perform.

Shall be your shield and buckler - literally, Shield and buckler is his truth. The meaning is, that his pledge or promise would be to them as the shield of the soldier is to him in battle. Compare Psalm 35:2. The word rendered “buckler” is derived from the verb “to surround,” and is given to the defensive armor here referred to, because it “surrounds,” and thus “protects” a person. It may apply to a coat of mail.

You shall not be afraid for the terror by night - That which usually causes alarm at night—a sudden attack; an unexpected incursion of enemies; sudden disease coming on by night; or the pestilence which seems to love night, and to walk in darkness. Any one of these things seems to be aggravated by night and darkness; and for this reason, we most dread them then. We cannot see their approach; we cannot measure their outlines; we do not know the extent of the danger, or what may be the calamity.

Nor for the arrow that flies by day - Whether shot from the bow of God—as pestilence and disease—or from the hand of man in battle. The idea is, that he who trusts in God will be calm. Compare the notes at Psalm 56:3.