A
Study of Psalm Thirty Four
Verse
Seven
Related
Scripture:
2 Kings
6:17; Psalm 91:11; Daniel 6:22
Brethren:
We are
protected by God's word, wisdom and love. Whilst we mayhap suffer
from the trials and tribulations of this world, God has promised to
deliver us from all of them.
“Being
frequently mentioned in the OT.: (See Exodus
23:20; Isaiah
63:9). He is not merely an angelic messenger, but is in some
sense identified with God Himself. He may be said to stand for God in
His self-revealing character, and in His activity among men.”
John
Dummelow
“The angel of the Lord is an
expression which has given rise to much discussion. From comparison
with other passages it may be (1) any commissioned agent of God, as a
prophet (Haggai
1:13). (2) One of the celestial court (Genesis
22:11). (3) Any manifestation of the Divine presence, as the
flame in the bush (Exodus
3:2), the winds (Psalms
35:5-6; Psalms
104:4). (4) Jehovah Himself, as in the phrase “the angel of his
presence” (Isaiah
63:9). It may very well be, therefore, that the psalmist uses it
here in a general sense for the Divine manifestation of protection.
We thus avoid the difficulty in the image of one angel encamping
round the sufferer, which other commentators try to avoid by
supposing angel to mean either a troop of angels, or captain or chief
of an angelic army. But for this difficulty, we should connect the
psalmist's words immediately with the well-known incident in Jacob's
life at Mahanaim, or with the story of Elisha and “the horses and
chariots of fire” round about him. We certainly must not let go the
beautiful thought that round God's elect— 'The spangled hosts keep
watch in squadrons bright.'(a)
C.J.
Ellicott
(a) –
Milton's “On the Morning of Christ's Nativity”
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