Psalm 91 (90):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He bore painful trials as a man; understanding this grants us resilience in times of suffering brought on by the enemy, be it through others openly or through hidden means, as in the case of Job. Be steadfast and patient, for you shall dwell under the protection of the Almighty, as this Psalm articulates. If you stray from the shelter of the Most High, you risk falling into despair, recognizing that while many exhibit courage against human persecution, when faced with the covert assaults of the devil, they doubt their worthiness in Christ. Take heart, for the enemy may attack in stealth, calling on ailments and afflictions, yet your strength should come from God, who surely protects those who trust in Him.

Consider those like Job, who didn’t discern their trials as orchestrated by the devil but rather acknowledged God's sovereignty in their suffering. Recall that the devil may employ slander and reproach as his nets; many stumble over harsh words, allowing fear to ensnare them. The nets of this world, similar to those set by hunters, can be avoided by following the path of Christ.

The Church has always encountered reproach, and many Christians experience judgment from both the ungodly and from those within the faith. The presence or absence of non-believers does not determine the difficulty faced by believers; there are trials aplenty among fellow Christians that can lead to discouragement and the tempests of reproach. When faced with insult, remember that the words of slander are powerless if you stand firm in your identity as a believer. Those who adhere to the truth of God offer a response that transcends the disdain offered by the world.

Let the faithful maintain their hope in God’s promises, for He is their refuge. The psalm affirms, "Thou art my refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust" (Psalm 90:2). Those who dwell in this acknowledgment find deliverance from the snares of the enemy. Our Lord emphasizes this by illustrating that fear of evils may lead one to falter, yet steadfastness in faith conquers. Trust in Him to uphold you during trials. God will cradle you like a hen shelters her chicks, as seen when Christ lamented Jerusalem's refusal to be gathered under His wings (Matthew 23:37).

When the Lord promises that His truth will serve as a shield, He conveys that true protection emerges from Him, distinguishing between the proud and the humble. In the midst of darkness and peril, there is no need for fear, for the faithful shall not be overtaken by the adversary, represented metaphorically as arrows by day or terrors by night (Psalm 90:6). The weight of sin differs, and while ignorance exacerbates it, knowledge brings accountability that can instill fear.

Despite the external assaults upon the faithful, who fight for their allegiance during harsh trials likened to a burning sun at noon, they stand resolute. The apostolic martyrs serve as models, exemplifying faith that withstands persecution. Those who abandon their heritage for the sake of worldly comfort or fear find themselves unanchored, but those anchored in Christ remain untouched by such trappings of despair.

We are assured that whilst many might fall around us, "A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you" (Psalm 90:7). This depicts the reality of spiritual warfare. The fall of many serves as a testament to the strength that resides in unwavering faith in God, who knows those who truly belong to Him. The judgments they endure are temporal; ultimately, God's justice prevails against the wicked who oppress His faithful.

In tribulations, retain your faith. The Lord is with you, granting deliverance and elevation in times of need (Psalm 90:15). The suffering one faces is not devoid of divine presence; rather, God enables us to endure and glorifies us through trials, promising satisfaction with eternal life (Psalm 90:16). This promise surpasses the fleeting concept of earthly days. Eternal life knows no bounds, eternally fulfilled in the divine presence.

As we await the ultimate revelation of Christ—the great and glorious sight—let us cultivate a heart in pursuit of Him, expanding our spiritual vision to recognize His guidance amidst our earthly pilgrimage. We are beckoned to eternal life, which is the crux of our faith, and while we seek the treasures of the heart, may our aspirations align with the eternal riches promised to us.

Hence it is stated, ‘From the arrow that flies by day.’

Another perspective reveals that the righteous person's fear is not of darkness, but of light. ‘Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord’ (Psalm 33:12). The prophets' offspring have no trepidation concerning night or obscurity, but rather regarding the exposure of day and illumination. ‘That they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart’ (Psalm 10:3). The devil refrains from launching his arrows in daylight to avoid detection. Indeed, everything illuminated is laid bare before him (cf. Eph. 5:13). Yet one may question, ‘If the devil does not attack in daylight, how then does the psalmist declare, “By an arrow that flies by day?” What sort of arrow is this?’ It symbolizes the doctrines of heretics, which operate in the light of God’s law, as they gather their accusations against us, twisting the truth through their interpretations.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psalm 45:2-3). “In You, our fathers trusted; they trusted, and You delivered them; they cried to You, and were saved; in You, they trusted, and were not confounded” (Psalm 21:5-6). “O Lord. You are our refuge from generation to generation” (Psalm 89:2). With this shield, as a steadfast wall, our ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—defended themselves, as it is written: “He allowed no man to do them wrong, and reproved kings for their sakes” (1 Chron. 16:21). Under this protection, Joseph remained unscathed, resplendent in spirit and flesh, impervious to the arrows of temptation and hardship. This shield safeguarded Israel as they left Egypt, protecting them from Pharaoh, their tormentor, and from adversaries they encountered along the way, ensuring their preservation amidst numerous foes while inhabiting the land of promise. “If the Lord had not been on our side,” let Israel say, “if the Lord had not been on our side, when men rose up against us, they would have swallowed us up quick; when their wrath was kindled against us, the waters would have overwhelmed us” (Psalms 123:1-4). King David of Israel overcame all his enemies, declaring, “All nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them; they surrounded me, yea, they surrounded me; but in the name of the Lord, I will destroy them; they surrounded me like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns; for in the name of the Lord, I will destroy them” (Psalm 117:10-12). The prophets, apostles, saints, martyrs, clergy, hermits, and all the righteous who have pleased God throughout history found refuge under this shield. They persevered through various temptations, trials, and tribulations. Today, true Christians also seek this invincible and secure shield, and in facing their enemies, they courageously sing, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in tribulations… The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” (Psalm 45:2, 8). “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:31-32). Bold and triumphant over all hell, St. Paul serves as a model for those who love God. Dear Christian! Satan and his wicked spirits harbored relentless wrath against mankind, especially toward true believers. Like predators stalking in the night, they circle invisibly and strike in various ways, seeking to annihilate believers either directly or through the influence of false Christians and other wicked individuals. Who could endure their accusations and onslaughts if the Lord did not cover him with the shield of His goodness and the shelter of His loving wings? Surely, he would have perished in an instant. Indeed, what St. David proclaimed of ancient Israel regarding its defense is fitting for modern Israel, Christ's followers. The living would have certainly succumbed to our enemies had God not been with us, protecting us. “Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth” (Psalm 123:6). Thus, we recognize the futility of placing our trust in anything but God. Human support is frail, and the assistance of any creature is unreliable. Therefore, forsaking everything, we turn to this steadfast and irresistible shield. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man; it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes” (Psalm 117:8-9). Some may rely on cunning words, others on wealth or status, while some may seek the intercession of powerful individuals or other supports. Yet whatever they trust in is a fragile and worthless shield; their hope will be dashed. We will find our defense in the name of the Lord and shall not be shamed. Consider this, believer: belong solely to God, and the name of the Lord will guard you from all accusations of the enemy. “I will love You, O Lord, my strength! The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalm 17:2-4). “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me” (Psalm 22:4). “You are my refuge in times of trouble; my joy, deliver me from those who surround me” (Psalm 31:7). “You are my Helper; to You I will sing, for You are my Advocate, my God, my mercy” (Psalm 58:18). When a Christian remains in God’s grace and the protection of the Most High, even if all evil individuals, the world, and legions of hell rise against him, alongside the myriad troubles and calamities that surround him, they cannot prevail. For God is mightier than all; His almighty hand sustains, protects, and preserves him. Fear not, O righteous and God-fearing soul. “He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings will you find refuge; His faithfulness shall be your shield and fortress. You shall not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flies by day, nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you” (Psalm 90:3-7). This is the teaching of the entirety of this psalm.

He notes the fear associated with the night, as darkness incites apprehension and exposes us to various dangers; even a minor sound in the night can instill significant anxiety. The mention of arrows by day, rather than other forms of weaponry, may signify that arrows are shot from a distance and, due to their rapid speed, can bring about unexpected harm. In a subsequent passage, he reiterates the same idea through different expressions, asserting that there is no threat that God has not averted from us with the shield of His assistance. However, this verse has been interpreted in various ways: some see the mention of the midday demon as referring to the intense heat of the sun that can be especially perilous for those traveling in Palestine, while others associate it with pestilence or other afflictions.