1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high: shall abide vnder the shadow of the Almightie.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge, and my fortresse: my God, in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliuer thee from the snare of the fouler: and from the noisome pestilence.
4 Hee shall couer thee with his feathers, and vnder his wings shalt thou trust: his trueth shall bee thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not bee afraid for the terrour by night: nor for the arrow that flieth by day:
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darknes: nor for the destruction, that wasteth at noone-day.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Onely with thine eyes shalt thou behold: & see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, euen the most High, thy habitation:
10 There shall no euill befall thee: neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For hee shall giue his Angels charge ouer thee: to keepe thee in all thy wayes.
12 They shall beare thee vp in their hands: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread vpon the Lion, and adder: the yong Lion and the dragon shalt thou trample vnder feete.
14 Because he hath set his loue vpon me, therefore will I deliuer him: I wil set him on high, because hee hath knowen my Name.
15 He shall call vpon me, and I will answere him: I will bee with him in trouble, I will deliuer him, and honour him.
16 With long life wil I satisfie him: and shew him my saluation.
The safety of those who have God for their refuge. (1-8) Their favour with Him. (9-16)
1-8 He that by faith chooses God for his protector, shall find all in him that he needs or can desire. And those who have found the comfort of making the Lord their refuge, cannot but desire that others may do so. The spiritual life is protected by Divine grace from the temptations of Satan, which are as the snares of the fowler, and from the contagion of sin, which is a noisome pestilence. Great security is promised to believers in the midst of danger. Wisdom shall keep them from being afraid without cause, and faith shall keep them from being unduly afraid. Whatever is done, our heavenly Father's will is done; and we have no reason to fear. God's people shall see, not only God's promises fulfilled, but his threatenings. Then let sinners come unto the Lord upon his mercy-seat, through the Redeemer's name; and encourage others to trust in him also.
9-16 Whatever happens, nothing shall hurt the believer; though trouble and affliction befal, it shall come, not for his hurt, but for good, though for the present it be not joyous but grievous. Those who rightly know God, will set their love upon him. They by prayer constantly call upon him. His promise is, that he will in due time deliver the believer out of trouble, and in the mean time be with him in trouble. The Lord will manage all his worldly concerns, and preserve his life on earth, so long as it shall be good for him. For encouragement in this he looks unto Jesus. He shall live long enough; till he has done the work he was sent into this world for, and is ready for heaven. Who would wish to live a day longer than God has some work to do, either by him or upon him? A man may die young, yet be satisfied with living. But a wicked man is not satisfied even with long life. At length the believer's conflict ends; he has done for ever with trouble, sin, and temptation.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.