THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
This psalm serves as the basis upon which the devil attempted to tempt our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must remain vigilant, equipping ourselves so that we might resist the tempter, relying not on our own strength but on Him who has faced temptation before us, so that we do not succumb when we are tested. Christ had no need for temptation Himself; rather, His temptation acts as our schooling. By listening to His responses to the devil, we can learn to reply similarly when we face our own trials, thus entering through the gate mentioned in the Gospel. But what does it signify to enter through the gate? It means coming through Christ, who declared, “I am the door” (John 10:7). To enter through Him is to follow His example. He invites us to emulate those acts He performed only because He became man; for how could He have endured suffering without being made flesh? How else could He have faced death, be crucified, or humbled? Therefore, as you endure the hardships of this life, inflicted upon you by the devil either through others openly or secretly, as in the case of Job, be strong and patient. You will dwell under the shadow of the Almighty, as expressed in this psalm. For if you turn away from the protection of the Most High, unable to aid yourself, you will fall.
Many exhibit courage when experiencing persecution from others, believing that they align themselves with Christ’s sufferings when they face such visible aggression. Yet, when they encounter the secret assaults of the devil, they may feel robbed of their crowns in Christ. Fear not when you imitate Christ. For when the devil tempted our Lord, there was no one present in the wilderness; he tempted Him stealthily and was triumphed over, whether in secret or visible confrontation. Do likewise when faced with hidden attacks from the enemy. He may tempt you through physical ailments or other trials, much like those that plagued Job. Job did not see the devil but acknowledged God’s sovereignty over his trials, knowing that the devil could exert no power over him unless permitted by the Almighty. He directed all glory to God, never yielding authority to the devil.
Thus, anyone who follows Christ’s example and endures the tribulations of this world while relying on God’s help will not be ensnared by fear; it is he who remains under the protective wings of the Most High, as stated in Psalm 90:1. When we reflect upon these familiar words, remember how the devil tempted our Lord by saying, “Thou art my refuge and my fortress: my God” (Psalm 90:2). Who proclaims this to the Lord? The one who resides in the shelter of the Most High, relying not on their own might but on God’s strength. This person has the humility that those who sought to be like God lacked, losing the eternal life for which they were created. They chose reliance on themselves over the security of the Almighty, thus rejecting the promise offered to them.
In similar fashion, you too shall declare, “In Him I trust, for He will deliver me” (Psalm 90:3), not through your own strength. This teaches us that our faith must be placed entirely in God, not in man. How will He rescue you? From the traps of the hunter and from harmful words. Deliverance from the hunter is indeed a great benefit; but consider deliverance from hurtful words. Many have succumbed to the hunter’s traps through the sting of harsh words. These words serve as snares, akin to how hunters lay their nets: those who walk with Christ are shielded from such traps, for the enemy dares not ensnare them when they follow His path.
What then about painful words? The devil has ensnared many with biting remarks, particularly those who profess their faith amidst the ungodly, suffering insult for their beliefs. They may turn red with shame at reproaches, and through this shame, falter and fall prey to the hunter's nets. But what harm do harsh words truly inflict upon you? Do the nets laid by the enemy—the mockery of detractors—bear any real threat? It is typical for traps to be set at the edges for the unwary birds, even as stones are thrown to startle them. Such stones do no true harm; rather, those birds are caught because they fear an innocuous sound, and likewise, many men are caught in the devil’s traps, ensnared by fear of slander and unprovoked insults.
Among the gentiles, Christians who cower in fear of reproach fall into the hunter’s net; likewise, Christians striving to excel often face rebuke from their own peers. But what value is it, dear brother, to seek shelter in a town devoid of gentiles? Even where gentiles do not insult others simply for being Christian, many within the church live poorly, among whom the righteous and sober endure ridicule from those indulging in sin.
Thus, when a believer maintains their identity in Christ, they endure the reproaches and harsh words that might be directed against them; they hear remarks such as, “You are strong, you are righteous, you have come from heaven.” Insults surround him on all sides, and if he allows fear to shift him from the path of Christ, he risks entrapment by the enemy’s nets. In moments of adversity, what should his response be? What assurance will enable him to remain steadfast, entering through the gate? He may reflect, “What do harsh words say of me, a servant and sinner?” To our Lord Jesus, they once said, “A demon is in you” (John 8:48). You have just heard the disparaging words directed at our Lord; while He had no obligation to endure such mockery, He set this example so that we may learn to withstand malignancy rather than become ensnared.
He will shield you and uphold you, offering protection like a hen shields her chicks beneath her wings (Psalm 90:4). This is to ensure your reliance is not in your own resources but in His care. His protection encompasses you, metaphorically described as being shielded between His shoulders, with His wings surrounding you so that you need not fear harm, provided you remain where danger cannot reach. If a hen protects her chicks, how much safer are you under God’s wings, even from the devil and his fallen angels, who fly through the heavens like birds of prey seeking to pounce on the weak? This metaphor of a hen reflects the sincere care of God, as Christ Himself compared His longing for His people, exclaiming how He desired to gather the children of Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37).
Within the realm of creation, think of other birds; while various species nurture their young, none express devotion as a hen does. Swallows, sparrows, and storks may flit from their nests, leaving us uncertain of their broods; yet a hen reveals her maternal role with her tender clucks and extended feathers, infused with love for her chicks. Thus too, the Wisdom of God identified with our weakness, when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), that we might find refuge beneath His wings.
His truth surrounds you like a shield (Psalm 90:5). This imagery of wings and shields is not literal; rather, these representations serve as metaphors to express divine protection. If indeed Christ were a stone (Acts 4:10-11), He could not simultaneously be a lion (Revelation 5:5) or a lamb (John 1:29). Such imagery emphasizes that He is none of these things in reality; rather, He is Jesus Christ, our Savior, employing language that captures various dimensions of His nature. The truth of God acts as your shield, distinctly separating the proud from the humble.
You will have no fear of nighttime terrors (Psalm 90:6). Neither will you dread the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness. These phrases convey a profound truth: fear not the terrors of the night nor the arrows of the day, referencing the destruction wrought by the devil during heightened peril. What one fears at night may represent ignorance, while sinning in the light of day reflects deliberate defiance. The temptations of ignorance are often less severe, while knowledge brings both greater responsibility and consequence.
Such easy temptations do not crush you; rather they are fleeting if met with resistance. If the persecutor frightens the ignorant—those wavering in their faith—into supposing that Christ has abandoned them, they may despair and fall prey to the enemy’s schemes. Yet, there are those who are conscious of their calling to future hope, aware that God’s promises extend beyond this life, enduring any trial with patience to obtain the eternal reward promised by God. When such individuals face hardship, the tormentors may force them to endure threats and punishment, and though they might yield, they do so while knowing the weight of their sin.
Why then does the scripture refer to noon? At noon, the heat of persecution intensifies. This signifies the fervency of the trials that accompany fierce scrutiny, akin to how the sun scorches when it is at its peak. The destruction that occurs at noon thus represents forceful persecution. The early church faced great adversity, with rulers seeking to extinguish the Christian faith, producing edicts demanding that anyone identifying as Christian be scourged. Many, under the weight of fear of bodily harm, renounced their faith. However, those who looked beyond present suffering faced their tormentors with resolve, enduring injury in the flesh while being liberated in spirit, waiting for the resurrection of the righteous.
Though the sun blazed with relentless intensity, many faithful stood firm. Even when authorities sought to eradicate the faithful in their quest to extinguish the name of Christ from the earth, martyrdom gave rise to greater numbers of believers, affirming their faith even as they met their end. No threat could dismantle the resolve of those believing in Christ, opting for spiritual freedom over physical deliverance. They were slain for their beliefs while others faltered under interrogation, proving that reliance on one's own strength leads to downfall, while true protection is known only through the Most High. Thus, many fell before the intense trials emblematic of this noonday heat.
Do you know how many? “A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you” (Psalm 90:7). To whom are these words directed? Primarily to Christ Jesus. The relationship between the head and the body is essential: one cannot exist without the other. The thousand falling symbolically beside Him, and the ten thousand at His right hand, reflect those who will succumb before the adversary that seeks to destroy. What a dreadful thing to fall from Christ's grace, to slide from His side, yet this fall is not the end.
The focus on numbers—one thousand and ten thousand—highlights the magnitude of those who will be led astray, yet none will touch you. For you remain joined with Christ, the Head of the Church. The faithful will endure while others find themself ensnared by the devil's tactics, succumbing under pressure. The psalmist reassures us of this protection, for those who abide in the Lord will find deliverance from trials, as the faithful understand their identities never stray from Christ’s embrace.
Nonetheless, with your eyes, you shall witness the retribution of the wicked (Psalm 90:8). Why is this true? As the unfaithful are permitted to oppress your servants and torment them, they are not free from judgment. Although it seems they flourish, in truth, they prepare for eternal retribution while the faithful receive eternal rewards. Thus, it is necessary to possess the eye of faith, which allows for the discernment of good amidst adversity—those who oppress now will face the consequences of their actions later.
For you, O Lord, are my hope (Psalm 90:9). Here we arrive at the strength that prevents us from falling amid the relentless trials faced in this world. For You, O Lord, are my refuge, securing my future. The refuge offered by the Lord transcends mere earthly safety, establishing a fortress unreachable by the evils of the world. Within His sanctuary, no evil can harm you, nor can disease penetrate your dwelling (Psalm 90:10).