Psalm 91 Bible Commentary

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

(Read all of Psalm 91)

Verse 1

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

He — He that makes God his habitation and refuge.

Verse 3

[3] Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

Pestilence — From the pestilence, which like a fowler's snare takes men suddenly and unexpectedly.

Verse 5

[5] Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

By night — When evil accidents are most terrible and least avoidable.

Arrow — The pestilence, or any such destructive calamity; such are frequently called God's arrows.

By day — Thou shalt be kept from secret and open mischiefs.

Verse 6

[6] Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

Darkness — Invisibly, so that we can neither foresee nor prevent it.

Verse 12

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

Bear thee — Sustain or uphold thee in thy goings, as we do a child.

Verse 13

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

The lion — Shall lie prostrate at thy feet, and thou shalt securely put thy feet upon his neck.

Dragon — By which he understands all pernicious creatures, though never so strong, and all sorts of enemies.

Verse 14

[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.

Because — This and the two following verses are the words of God.