THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
This psalm represents the scripture through which the adversary dared to tempt our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must vigilantly guard it, equipping ourselves to resist the tempter, relying not on our strength, but on Him who was tempted before us, to avoid being defeated in our trials. Christ had no need for temptation; His temptation serves as our guidance. By heeding His responses to the devil, we can also answer in kind when we face temptation, thus entering through the gate, as mentioned in the Gospel. What does it signify to enter by the gate? It means to enter through Christ, who declared, "I am the door" (John 10:7), and to follow His example. He calls us to imitate Him in ways that were only possible because He took on human flesh; how could He have endured suffering if He were not made Man? How else could He have died, endured crucifixion, or humbled Himself? Likewise, when you encounter the hardships of this world, whether inflicted by the adversary openly through others or covertly, as seen in Job's afflictions, remain steadfast and patient. You will find refuge under the wings of the Most High, as this Psalm beautifully states: should you turn away from the help of the Most High, lacking the strength to aid yourself, you will surely stumble. Many show bravery in the face of persecution from their peers, openly expressing anger at themselves, believing they are imitating Christ's sufferings during visible afflictions. However, when stealthy temptations arise from the devil, they feel they lack the crown of Christ. Fear not if you imitate Christ. During His trials in the wilderness, no human was present, and the devil tempted Him in secret, yet he was ultimately vanquished, just as he was in open confrontations.
Respond in kind when the enemy strikes quietly, urging one to commit harm through ailments, fevers, or other afflictions—much like Job experienced. Job did not perceive the devil, but acknowledged God’s omnipotence. He recognized that the adversary could only act under God's permissive authority and gave all glory to God while denying any power to the devil. Thus, whoever emulates Christ and bears the trials of life, trusting in God to escape the traps laid before them, remains unbroken by fear; it is they who dwell under the shelter of the Most High, affirmed by Psalm 90:1 at the psalm's beginning.
When we engage with these verses, we recognize the familiar words that the devil used to tempt our Lord: “He shall say unto the Lord, Thou art my refuge and my fortress: my God” (Psalm 90:2). Who speaks this to the Lord? The one residing under the protective care of the Most High, relying not on human pride, unlike those who sought to become like gods and consequently lost their original immortality. They chose to stand under their self-reliance rather than seeking refuge in the Most High, leading to their downfall.
So too may you declare, "In Him I trust,” for “He Himself shall deliver me” (Psalm 90:3) and not I myself. This underscores the fact that our faith needs to be anchored in God, not humans. Where will He deliver you from? From the snares of the hunter and from grievous words. While liberation from the hunter’s snare is significant, deliverance from harsh words is equally vital. Many have been ensnared by harsh words. The devil and his minions cast their nets like hunters: but those who walk in Christ are shielded from these traps, as the enemy refrains from capturing them in Christ's path but lies in wait at the periphery. Commit to walking the path of Christ, and you will evade the adversary’s nets.
What do we mean by harsh words? The adversary has entangled many with slander; for instance, believers facing scorn from unbelievers may feel shame from insults, leading them away from their path and into traps. Yet, what harm can cruel words truly inflict? Can the nets laid by adversaries through reproach cause you any real damage? It is customary to lay nets along the hedge to catch birds or to throw stones into the brush; those stones are not lethal to the birds. When has a thrown stone ever harmed a bird in the hedge? The bird, startled by the harmless noise, becomes ensnared in the net. Likewise, individuals frightened by the empty slurs of their detractors become trapped by the enemy.
Among the pagan population, a believer who fears such insults may find themselves caught in the hunter’s trap; similarly, within Christian circles, those who strive to excel often face ridicule from fellow believers. What benefit, then, is it to discover a place devoid of pagans? In such a setting, one may not be insulted for their faith due to the absence of non-believers, yet many wayward Christians persist, living amidst unrighteousness. Those seeking to live righteously among the inebriated and pure among the impure may still encounter harsh words from Christians who judge them—calling them virtuous, righteous, Elijah, or Peter: branding them heavenly. Such insults may come from all directions, and if one succumbs to the fear of reproach and abandons the path of Christ, they will stumble into the traps of the enemy. But when encountering such words, how should one respond without straying from the way?
When faced with these words, what assurance averts your attention from them and inspires you to enter through the gate? Let them say: What voice calls to me, a servant and sinner? Our Lord Jesus was insulted, being told, “There is a demon in you” (John 8:48). You’ve now heard the harshest accusations against Him; He did not have to bear them, yet by doing so, He illustrated the need for you to withstand reproach so that you do not become ensnared.
He will protect you like a shepherd carries his sheep, ensuring that you find refuge beneath His wings (Psalm 90:4). This stresses that your defense is not your own, lest you mistakenly believe you can shield yourself. He will protect you, rescue you from the hunter’s traps and from harsh words. The imagery of being “between His shoulders” suggests both front and back support. His wings encompass you, providing a safe haven where you need fear no harm. Remain vigilant, never straying from the sanctuary where no enemy dares approach.
If a hen shelters her chicks under her wings, how much more secure are you under God’s mantle, even from the devil and his winged forces, who swoop down like hawks seeking to prey on the vulnerable? Comparing our Lord to a hen is not without merit, as He Himself lamented, “How often would I gather thy children” (Matthew 23:37).
Unlike other birds indifferent to their chicks, the hen identifies as a mother through her gentle clucking and the opening of her feathers, transformed through her love for her young. Likewise, because of our weakness, the Wisdom of God assumed vulnerability when the Word became flesh and dwelled among us (John 1:14), so we might take refuge under His wings.
“His truth shall be your shield” (Psalm 90:5). How can wings and shields be one? If both were literal, how could one serve as the other? Can wings function as a shield? Rather, these terms are employed metaphorically. Christ, referred to as a Stone (Acts 4:10-11), cannot also be a Lion; if He is a Lion (Revelation 5:5), He cannot simultaneously be a Lamb; yet He is called both Lion and Lamb, John 1:29, as well as other metaphors, for these are not literal but symbolic representations of Christ, our Savior. His truth serves as your shield: a certainty that distinguishes those who place their reliance on themselves versus those who trust in God.
While both are sinners, one professes superiority over their sins, claiming, “If my sins were displeasing to God, He would have removed me from life.” Meanwhile, another, too aware of their frailties, cannot even raise their head but beats their breast saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). Both are sinners, but one is prideful while the other is penitent. God recognizes no outward appearances; His truth discerns between the humble and the arrogant, guiding the humble towards Him.
You need not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies during the day, nor the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor the destruction and adversary that stalks at noon (Psalm 90:6). These lines align with the contradicting fears—fear not the dread that falls in darkness, nor the arrows that strike by day. To sin in ignorance is akin to transgressing in the cover of night; yet when one sins knowing their actions, they sin by daylight. Undoubtedly, the second sin is heavier.
The temptations that catch the unaware, the “terrors of the night,” contrast with the “arrows that fly by day,” which target those well-acquainted with their faith. Easy temptations are those that do not overpower us, but flit past should we stand firm. When a persecutor threatens those lacking faith or knowledge of their identity in Christ, these individuals, overwhelmed by momentary affliction, often think they have been abandoned and question the strength of their faith. Those aware of their future hope will endure all temptations, knowing the promises of God belong to a realm beyond this life—but when persecution intensifies and threats arise, even the steadfast may falter and yield, despite their understanding.
But what causes him to declare “at noon”? The peak of persecution symbolizes an oppressive severity. The enemy at noon represents intense trials; indeed, our Lord articulated, “The sun rose; and because they had no root, they withered away,” and He applied this to those who falter during persecution due to lack of depth in their faith. We thus recognize the “enemy of noon” as fierce tribulations.
Consider what occurred in the early Church, when emperors and kings sought to eradicate Christianity through persecution, announcing that professing believers would face scourging. Those reluctant to endure such punishment disavowed their faith, for whom the arrows of daylight struck. Conversely, those not swayed by the immediate life yet steadfast in their future hope, confessing their beliefs, faced persecution yet found spiritual freedom amidst their suffering. They embraced their faith, awaiting bodily redemption while their enemies sought to extinguish them.
Being recognized as a Christian resulted in brutal consequences—whether beheading or torture by day. The intense heat of the adversary became insufferable. As the enemy witnessed an increase in martyrs, they plotted to exhaust the Christian population, thinking that in silencing believers, they could extinguish the name of Christ from the earth. Yet, God’s army endured; those who professed their faith meaningfully came to know eternal truth through unwavering testimony. Though many succumbed to torment, realizing their faith when confronted with death, it is the proud who oppose God’s protection, revealing their trust in their own devices rather than reliance on the Most High.
Those who faltered before the adversary at noon fell in significant numbers. To highlight, it is proclaimed, “A thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you” (Psalm 90:7). Who are these words intended for but Christ Jesus? His body, the Church, remains united as head and members. The fate of many will be bleak; the “thousand falling” references those who break under temptation by their side, while the “ten thousand at His right” signifies those who lose hope in their divine inheritance.
And while some lose their chance to judge with Him due to trials, even more falter concerning the promise of being at His right hand. The psalmist conveys that although many may stumble and fall, the righteous shall not waver—these words represent both the Head and the body, for the Lord knows who are His (2 Timothy 2:19).