[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
Psalm 91 Bible Commentary
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
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.