The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
David wrote this psalm after a low point in his life — he had run to Gath, the enemy's city, and escaped only by pretending to be insane. Out of that shame comes one of the most confident promises in the Psalms — but who is this angel, what does "encamps" picture, and who stands inside the circle?
The failure behind the praise
David's conduct at Gath was nothing to boast about, which makes the praise that follows all the more striking.
He was in the wrong place, so he resorted to wrong actions. But he no doubt had confessed and judged this failure before God. Otherwise he could not have written this psalm the way he did. In His wise government God dealt faithfully with David and made him feel the shame of what he had done. At the same time He showed the grace of His heart by drawing him to bless the Lord.
The word "encamps"
The verb is military. It implies more than a lone guard — and defence is not the whole of what this angel does.
The word "encamps" suggests that the angel of the Lord is supported by an army of helpers. The next psalm includes a prayer that the angel of the Lord might chase David's enemies. So he does not only give defensive help and deliverance, as we have seen. He also acts against the enemy.
Who the angel is
Commentators differ here. Some read "the angel of the LORD" as a title of Christ Himself:
Generally, if not always, the name "the angel of the Lord" refers to the Lord Jesus Himself. He is above all others the angel, or messenger, of God, as Malachi 3:1 declares.
Others read it as a promise that angels guard God's people. One writer points to the prophet Elisha, whose protection was real before anyone could see it.
Angels are the divine guardians of God's people... The history of Elisha illustrates this guardian care. Enemies surrounded him at Dothan, and his servant was terrified. Elisha says, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." In answer to prayer, the Lord opened the young man's eyes. He saw that the whole mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha (2 Kings 6:17). Elisha had already come to them by faith; the young man came to them by sight.
Protection with no gaps
David's own rescue was real, not just relief from his fears. From it he draws a rule for everyone who fears God.
In his poverty he had been heard and delivered — not just from his fears, but in fact. He goes further: the angel of Jehovah camps around those who fear Jehovah. This is deliverance from all that may come, from any direction.
Seen again in the New Testament
The same protection appears in Acts, where a prison could not hold the apostles. (The ESV reads "an angel of the Lord" in Acts 5:19; the older translation quoted here has "the angel of the Lord.")
What a remarkable statement — and what an immense comfort for the soul to feel that it has angelic walls, so to speak, around it. If you fear the Lord, you are encamped in a safe place... Take the apostles in Acts chapter 5: "the high priest rose up, and all who were with him... and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out" (Acts 5:17-19).
Who stands inside the circle
The promise belongs to those who fear the Lord. That fear means honour and reverence, not dread.
We have been told, "Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." Now that trust must show itself in fearing Him. It means giving Him the place of dignity and honour that produces a true reverential fear, with none of the casual, unsubdued attitude that is common among men.
Care, not just providence
What moved David was not merely that things worked out. It was that God took a personal interest in a humbled man.
This is not high and sovereign providence making things run smoothly for outward blessing — though no doubt we should be thankful for that. It is the gracious interest of Jehovah in his tried heart. This is much nearer, the interest greater, the link more sweet and stronger. There was no pride of will in trial or in success. Here was a crushed and humble heart, finding Jehovah's ear and heart open to it.
Summary
- Cause — David failed at Gath. God let him feel the shame, then drew him to praise.
- Camp — "Encamps" is army language: a guard pitched on every side, able to defend and to drive off the enemy.
- Christ or angel — commentators differ. Some read "the angel of the LORD" as the Lord Jesus; others see the angel care that guarded Elisha.
- Cover — the circle has no opening, so the deliverance covers all that may come, from any direction.
- Condition — the promise is for those who fear the Lord, who give Him His rightful place.