John Calvin Commentary Psalms 34:7

"The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, And delivereth them." — Psalms 34:7 (ASV)

The angel of Jehovah encamps around those who fear him. David here speaks generally of God’s fatherly favor towards all the godly; and since human life is exposed to innumerable dangers, he at the same time teaches us that God is able to deliver them.

The faithful especially, who are like sheep in the midst of wolves, beset, as it were, with death in every form, are constantly harassed by the dread of some approaching danger. David therefore affirms that the servants of God are protected and defended by angels. The Psalmist’s design is to show that although the faithful are exposed to many dangers, yet they may rest assured that God will be the faithful guardian of their life.

But to further confirm them in this hope, he adds at the same time, and not without reason, that those whom God desires to preserve in safety he defends by the power and ministration of angels. The power of God alone would indeed be sufficient in itself to perform this; but in mercy to our weakness, he condescends to employ angels as his ministers.

It significantly serves to confirm our faith to know that God has countless legions of angels who are always ready for his service whenever he is pleased to aid us. Furthermore, the angels also, who are called principalities and powers, are always intent on the preservation of our life, because they know that this duty is entrusted to them.

God is indeed rightly designated the wall of his Church, and every kind of fortress and place of defense for her. However, to accommodate our present imperfect state, he manifests his powerful presence to aid us through the agency of his angels. Moreover, what the Psalmist here says of one angel in the singular number should be applied to all the other angels, for they are distinguished by the general designation of ministering spirits sent forth to minister to them who shall be the heirs of salvation, (Hebrews 1:14); and the Scriptures in other places teach us that whenever it pleases God, and whenever he knows it to be for their benefit, many angels are appointed to take care of each of his people (2 Kings 6:15; Psalms 91:11; Luke 16:22).

The sum then of what has been said is that however great the number of our enemies and the dangers surrounding us may be, yet the angels of God, armed with invincible power, constantly watch over us and array themselves on every side to aid and deliver us from all evil.