He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Psalms 91 is a powerful declaration of trust in God, resonating with themes found in Psalms 90 and 92, and echoing throughout Scripture (compare 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalms 9, 37, 40, 84, and 118; Proverbs 3:5–6, 14:26; Isaiah 26:3; Nahum 1:7; John 14:1–6; Hebrews 11). This psalm reveals the blessings and security available to those who make the Lord their refuge. While the author remains unknown, their profound understanding of trusting in God is evident.
Abiding Under God's Protection (91:1-4)
The psalm begins by expressing unwavering confidence in the protection found in "the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalms 91:1). This imagery speaks of a place of abiding security and constant presence. To "dwell in the shelter of the Most High" is to find refuge, like a bird under the wings of its parent (Psalms 91:4). This isn't a fleeting visit, but a consistent, faithful commitment to living under God's covenant. The psalmist testifies that God is his "refuge and fortress" (Psalms 91:2), using words that imply places of safety and security.
God's Faithfulness: A Shield Day and Night (91:5-8)
God covers His own with His faithfulness, offering a shield of protection at all times (Psalms 91:5). Knowing this should cultivate confident trust, even in the face of threats and attacks from the wicked. The psalm lists various dangers, from natural disasters to diseases and enemies, symbolizing the myriad ways God protects His people. A key symbol is that of entrapment, a common tactic used by Satan (Psalms 91:3). Regardless of the dangers around them, those who experience God's covering will be cared for and will ultimately witness the punishment of the wicked (Psalms 91:7-8).
Making God Your Refuge (91:9-13)
"If you say, 'The Lord is my refuge,' and you make the Most High your dwelling" (Psalms 91:9), then no harm will overtake you. The Lord commissions His angels to watch over those who make Him their refuge (Psalms 91:11). Believers have angels divinely assigned to protect and strengthen them from spiritual dangers, depicted here as wild beasts (Psalms 91:13). We may never fully know, until eternity, the countless dangers, toils, and snares from which angels have protected us (see Hebrews 1:14). This promise, however, doesn't grant us the right to demand invincibility or to force God to overcome our own arrogance or ignorance.
It's crucial to remember that Satan attempted to misuse Psalms 91:11-12 when tempting Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:5-7), urging Him to throw Himself from the temple. This demonstrates how Scripture can be twisted for selfish purposes. The psalmist's intention is to reveal God's care, not to provide a means to manipulate Him. While absolute safety isn't guaranteed in this life (see Psalms 3:1–2), those who honor God by obeying His wisdom are spared unnecessary dangers.
God's Promise of Deliverance (91:14-16)
The psalm concludes with God Himself speaking, reaffirming the safety and blessings promised to those who love Him. God promises to deliver and protect those who set their hearts on Him (Psalms 91:14). Indeed, the believer whose heart is devoted and submitted to the Lord can count on God to rescue him and satisfy him with a long and full life (Psalms 91:15-16). This echoes the idea of safety, in the context of someone who "holds fast" to the Lord.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Psalms 91 is a powerful declaration of trust in God, resonating with themes found in Psalms 90 and 92, and echoing throughout Scripture (compare 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalms 9, 37, 40, 84, and 118; Proverbs 3:5–6, 14:26; Isaiah 26:3; Nahum 1:7; John 14:1–6; Hebrews 11). This psalm reveals the blessings and security available to those who make the Lord their refuge. While the author remains unknown, their profound understanding of trusting in God is evident.
Abiding Under God's Protection (91:1-4)
The psalm begins by expressing unwavering confidence in the protection found in "the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalms 91:1). This imagery speaks of a place of abiding security and constant presence. To "dwell in the shelter of the Most High" is to find refuge, like a bird under the wings of its parent (Psalms 91:4). This isn't a fleeting visit, but a consistent, faithful commitment to living under God's covenant. The psalmist testifies that God is his "refuge and fortress" (Psalms 91:2), using words that imply places of safety and security.
God's Faithfulness: A Shield Day and Night (91:5-8)
God covers His own with His faithfulness, offering a shield of protection at all times (Psalms 91:5). Knowing this should cultivate confident trust, even in the face of threats and attacks from the wicked. The psalm lists various dangers, from natural disasters to diseases and enemies, symbolizing the myriad ways God protects His people. A key symbol is that of entrapment, a common tactic used by Satan (Psalms 91:3). Regardless of the dangers around them, those who experience God's covering will be cared for and will ultimately witness the punishment of the wicked (Psalms 91:7-8).
Making God Your Refuge (91:9-13)
"If you say, 'The Lord is my refuge,' and you make the Most High your dwelling" (Psalms 91:9), then no harm will overtake you. The Lord commissions His angels to watch over those who make Him their refuge (Psalms 91:11). Believers have angels divinely assigned to protect and strengthen them from spiritual dangers, depicted here as wild beasts (Psalms 91:13). We may never fully know, until eternity, the countless dangers, toils, and snares from which angels have protected us (see Hebrews 1:14). This promise, however, doesn't grant us the right to demand invincibility or to force God to overcome our own arrogance or ignorance.
It's crucial to remember that Satan attempted to misuse Psalms 91:11-12 when tempting Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:5-7), urging Him to throw Himself from the temple. This demonstrates how Scripture can be twisted for selfish purposes. The psalmist's intention is to reveal God's care, not to provide a means to manipulate Him. While absolute safety isn't guaranteed in this life (see Psalms 3:1–2), those who honor God by obeying His wisdom are spared unnecessary dangers.
God's Promise of Deliverance (91:14-16)
The psalm concludes with God Himself speaking, reaffirming the safety and blessings promised to those who love Him. God promises to deliver and protect those who set their hearts on Him (Psalms 91:14). Indeed, the believer whose heart is devoted and submitted to the Lord can count on God to rescue him and satisfy him with a long and full life (Psalms 91:15-16). This echoes the idea of safety, in the context of someone who "holds fast" to the Lord.