The Safety of the Believers in Every Emergency
The author of this psalm is not mentioned in the Bible, but the contents and the spirit of the hymn suggest the name of David, the pestilence referred to probably being that described 2 Sam. 24.
V. 1. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, sheltered in the fellowship of God by faith, abiding secure from all assaults, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, safe under the protection of His almighty wings.
V. 2. I will say of the Lord, that is the boast of the believer, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, Yahweh, the God of grace, shielding him against the counsels and attacks of all enemies; my God, with the emphasis on the pronoun; in Him will I trust, every believer confidently and cheerfully yielding his life to the guiding hand of God.
V. 3. Surely He shall deliver thee, so the psalmist assures every believer, from the snare of the fowler, from Satan, who, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he might devour, and from the noisome pestilence, from the plague of destruction, the afflictions and temptations of Satan and his host.
V. 4. He, Yahweh, the God of salvation, shall cover thee with His feathers, His wings forming a protecting wall about the believers, and under His wings shalt thou trust, knowing that the enemy cannot penetrate to the asylum of God’s protection; His truth, the faithfulness of His promises of salvation, shall be thy shield and buckler, an unfailing protection against each and every danger.
V. 5. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, of affliction and tribulation which is intensified by darkness, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, those with which the Evil One tries to wound the hearts and consciences of the believers, v. 6. nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, the destruction threatened by the various temptations assailing the believers, nor for the destruction, the severe plague, that wasteth at noonday, chiefly by the threats of the enemies of the Lord in the world. Against all such dangers the faithful are secure in the protection of their God and heavenly Father.
V. 7. A thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hand, overcome by the attacks of the enemies, submitting to the various secret and open attacks of the devil and the children of this world; but it shall not come nigh thee, not be able to harm those who cling to the protection of the Lord in firm faith.
V. 8. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked, for the unbelievers will be taken by the enemy and will have to suffer for their wickedness.