I. ANNOUNCEMENT THROUGH THE NATIONAL LEADER (1). Preservation Promised. The Theme. "He." II. AVOWAL OF THE FAITHFUL ISRAELITE (2). Purpose Proclaimed. Confession: "My Refuge." III. ANNOUNCEMENT THROUGH THE NATIONAL LEADER (3-8). Preservation Pr.omised. "Thou ... thy." IV. AVOWAL OF THE FAITHFUL ISRAELITE (9a). Professiop Proclaimed. C. . "M R fu 1tat1on. y e ge. V. ANNOUNCEMENT THROUGH THE NATIONAL LEADER (9b-13). Preservation Promised. "Thou ... thy." VI. AVOW AL OF THE FAITHFUL JEHOVAH (14-16). Purpose Proclaimed. "He." The Troth.
PRIMARY AssocIATION.-There seems little doubt that Moses is the writer of this psahn as well as of xc., in which-case all the Scrip tures quoted in Matt. iv. are from his writings. Like Ps. xc. it was most probably composed at the beginning of the thirty-eight years of the wilderness wanderings. The two psalms are in striking con trast, the former presenting primarily the condition of the faithless Israelites under divine judgment, and the latter indicating those who came under God's special protection. These would need comfort amid what their own eyes saw of the reward of the wicked (7-8). Note the significance of the word "tent" (10). This is one of the "dialogue" psalms, see analysis. The words of the psalmist in I, II and V are virtually utterances of the Spirit of God, and may be the result of a direct revelation to Moses. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-Here the perfect Pattern is portrayed. Undoubtedly a Messianic psalm in which we see Christ associating Himself with Israel. His faithfulness as the Second Man is set over against the failure of the first man (Ps. xc.). The latter lost God as his "habitation," but, Christ though Lord of all, took the place of absolute dependence and fully maintained it. Thus as the perfect Man owning the God of Israel, the promises are made His. His perfect preservation until the moment when "He was delivered up for our offences" is described and the victory of the cross followed by the exaltation is hinted at (13-14). 15 shows God's personal response to Christ's personal righteousness. No doubt there is an application also to the faithful remnant during the last days. Con cerning Satan's quotation of rr when tempting the Lord, it is significant that the tempter knew this psahn to be Messianic. He wished to imply that Moses was on his side! But God keeps His own only while they walk in the way. Satan omitted this important part and added the words,. "at any time." For our Lord to put God to the test would have been to sin like the Israelites, Exod. xvii. 7; Deut. vi. r6. Satan tried to tum Him from His great purpose by accepting a present deliverance. The second attempt recorded W;lS through Peter, Matt. xvi. 22. Note that the Adversary also failed to quote verse r 3 which concerns himself! PERSONAL APPLICATION.-The solemn sadness of xc. gives place to the sunny gladness of xci. · Divine protection is ever -assured to those who abide in the "secret place" of the Most High (r). In the company of God are the true safeguards of life. Is "God my
RECOGNITION OP COVENANT RELATIONSHIP Refuge" true in practice as well as profession (2)? God desires His people to remain· unafraid whatever happens around (5). The godly have two "homes "-one shelters the inner life, the other shelters the outward life. Note "dwelling-place" (9b) and "tent" (10b); the f0rmer is per.mÑnent, the latter is temporary. No evil can befall those who trust in Jehovah (10). Angels are the protectors of the saints in connection with the outer activities of life; .see Heb. i. 14. They are not charged to remove stones from the way, but to lift us over difficulties. Hindrances are intended to exereise our faith ( I 1-12). There are many moderns who change the word of God by adding to it, or omitting some important part of the context. Such are consciously or unconsciously the tools of Satan (11-12), see Prophetic Anticipation. We are specially warned against Satanic emissaries professing to be messengers of light (2 Cor. xi. 14-15)-who misapply God's word and often use such phrases as, "In th_e light of modern discovery," and "In the interests of progressive knowledge." Note the threefold condition of true deliverance (14-15); (a) Clinging to Jehovah; (b) Acknowledging His Name; (c) Calling upon Him. God's own presence is the best answer to the saint's call (15b). The crowning promise to the believer is a rapturous experience of a full salvation (16). VERSE NOTES r. "secret place" = covert or hiding-place Prophetically of the Jewish remnant may be connected with Rev.- 13-14; "shadow" indicates shelter or protection, c£ 4. 2. Br. "I will say unto Jehovah, 'My Refuge ... I will trust.'•" 3 ff. Assurance to the Israelites excluded from the class referred to in preceding psalm, where see notes. 1 3. "He (emph.)"; (b) omit "And." 4. C£ Deut. xxxii. 11 ; Pss. xvii. 8; lxiii. 7; power and gentleness united; "truth" = troth, or faithfulness; this rather than our trust is the true defence. Our faith grasps the shield; "buckler," Heb. only here, prob. = coat of mail. 5. I.e. sudden assault by night and open assault by day. 6. Plague· and pestilence are here personified as destroying angels. "Th h h d h · "th " oug a t ousan ... , emp as1s on ee. 8. "wicked" = lawless. 9, Br. "Because thou (emph.) (hast said ) to Jehovah, 'My Refuge' ... hast made ... " The profession (2) is here taken up by the Spirit and repeated. "habitations,"= place of asylum, c£ xc. I.
II. Quoted in part by Satan, Matt. iv. 6, Luke iv. IO-II ; see note under "Prophetic Anticipation"; cf. Satan's misquotation, Gen. iii. 15. 12. (b) i.e. lest he stumble and fall. "li G v· on, = roarer; serpent or, sea-monstef, s. .w. en. 1. 21. 1ctory as well as preservation promised; the overcoming of all obstacles whethÅr overt or covert; whether violence or cunning, c£ Deut. viii. 15. _c fi c "kn " ' th kn 1 d f 14. set ... , ,.e. m sarety rom roes; own . . . 1.e. e ac ow e gment o God in His revealed character; it is the knowledge of loving intimacy not mere intellectual apprehension; "set ... high" means more than rescue and security, it implies a life lived nearer to God Himsel£ " "h 1 rify 15. , even . . . ; onour or, g o 16. "long life"= lit. length of days; see Ps. xxi. 4; Deut. xxx. 20; ctr. 7-8 and the destiny of the Israelites in Ps. xc. "satisfy," c£ xc. 14. Book Four. I. Recognition of Covenant Relationship: xc.-xciii. 2. Consequent Celebration, xcii.-xciii.
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