Psalms 91:6-16

6 (90-6) Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil.

7 (90-7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 (90-8) But thou shalt consider with thy eyes: and shalt see the reward of the wicked.

9 (90-9) Because thou, O Lord, art my hope: thou hast made the most High thy refuge.

10 (90-10) There shall no evil come to thee: nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.

11 (90-11) For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 (90-12) In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 (90-13) Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon.

14 (90-14) Because he hoped in me I will deliver him: I will protect him because he hath known my name.

15 (90-15) He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him.

16 (90-16) I will fill him with length of days; and I will shew him my salvation.

Psalms 91:6-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 91

Jarchi and others think this psalm was written by Moses {m}, as was the preceding; but the Targum ascribes it to David; as do the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions; and very probably, as is generally thought, was penned by him on occasion of the pestilence which came upon the people, through his numbering of them, 2Sa 24:1. The person all along spoken of, and to, according to the Targum, is Solomon his son; and, according to the title in the Syriac version, King Hezekiah, so Theodoret, who is called the son of David; neither of which are probable. Some think the Messiah is meant; and that the psalm contains promises of protection and safety to him, as man, from diseases, beasts of prey, evil spirits, and wicked men, under the care of angels; and this not because that Satan has applied one of these promises to him, Mt 4:6, but because they seem better to agree with him than with any other: and one part of the title of the psalm, in the Syriac version, runs thus,

``and spiritually it is called the victory of the Messiah, and of everyone that is perfected by him.''

It seems best to understand it of every godly man, who is always safe under the divine protection. The Talmudisis {n} call it Myegp ryv, "a song of the occursions", or "meetings with evil spirits."