He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
Ver. 18. He keepeth back his soul from the pit] Or, That he may keep back his soul, that is, his body, as Psa 16:10 Leviticus 21:1, from the pit; i.e. from the grave, or from the pit falls made for him by his enemies. A penitent person redeemeth his own sorrows, and provideth for his own safety, Psalms 91:1,16, and accordingly some read it, He shall keep back his own soul, &c.
And his life from perishing by the sword] Whether by the sword of God or man, he shall be extra iactum, out of the gunshot or danger of any death, whether corporal or eternal. The universal antidote for all the judgments of God is our humble repentance. Aaron escaped by it, when Miriam was smitten with leprosy.
Per miserere met, tollitur ira Dei.
This is the rainbow, which if God see shining in our hearts, he will never drown our souls. Jehoshaphat by this escaped the edge of the sword; David and his poor sheep the stroke of the punishing angel; all the crowned saints now in heaven the damnation of hell, &c.