1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 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.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Psalm 91, often referred to as the 'Psalm of Protection' or the 'Refuge Psalm', is one of the most comforting and reassuring Psalms in the entire Book of Psalms. This Psalm, deep and profound, provides a sense of calm and security, and is a source of solace in times of distress or danger. It is a powerful assertion of God's protection for those who put their trust in Him.
The Psalm is a beautiful piece of poetic scripture that employs a variety of metaphors and images to convey the central theme of divine protection. The images used include a refuge, a fortress, a shield, a buckler, and the protective wings of a bird, all of which are used to depict God's protective care for His people.
Psalm 91 is composed of two distinct parts. The first part, verses 1-8, is a declaration of God's protection and deliverance. The second part, verses 9-16, is a divine response to the trust expressed in the first part, providing assurance of God's protection, deliverance, and blessing.
The Psalm begins with a bold statement of faith and trust in God: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." The 'secret place' signifies the intimate and personal relationship with God, and the 'shadow' symbolizes God's protection, much like a bird protects its young under its wings.
The Psalmist then declares his trust in God as his refuge, fortress, and deliverer, stating, "I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." This expresses the Psalmist's personal faith and reliance on God for protection against all dangers, including deadly diseases and war.
The Psalmist then speaks of God's protection using the metaphors of a shield and a buckler, "His truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Here, 'truth' refers to God's faithfulness to His promises of protection and deliverance. The shield and buckler, two pieces of defensive armor, symbolize this divine protection.
The Psalmist further assures that those who trust in God need not fear the terrors of the night, the arrows that fly by day, the pestilence that walks in darkness, or the destruction that wastes at noonday. These are metaphors for all kinds of fears, dangers, and calamities that may befall a person. The assurance is that God's protection is comprehensive, covering all potential dangers, whether they are seen or unseen, expected or unexpected, day or night.
In verses 7 and 8, the Psalmist speaks of witnessing the retribution of the wicked while being safe under God's protection, "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." Here, the Psalmist emphasizes that God's protection extends to keeping His people from the punishment that befalls the wicked.
The second part of the Psalm begins with a transition in verse 9, "Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation." This verse serves as a response to the trust expressed in the first part, affirming that because of this trust, God will protect and deliver.
God then speaks directly in verses 14-16, promising protection, deliverance, long life, and salvation to those who love Him and know His name, "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."
These verses convey the promise that God will not only protect but also deliver and honor those who trust in Him. The promises extend to answering when they call, being with them in trouble, granting them long life, and showing them His salvation.
Psalm 91 is a powerful testimony to the protective care of God, providing comfort and reassurance to believers in times of distress, danger, or uncertainty. Its central theme is the security found in God, emphasizing that those who trust in God will find refuge and protection in Him.
However, it's important to note that Psalm 91 does not promise a life free from dangers or difficulties. Instead, it promises God's presence, protection, and deliverance in the midst of these challenges. The Psalmist does not deny the reality of dangers and calamities but assures that God's protection is available in the midst of them.
This Psalm encourages believers to place their trust in God, to dwell in the 'secret place' of intimate relationship with Him, and to experience His protective care. It assures that God is a refuge and fortress, a shield and buckler, providing comprehensive protection against all kinds of dangers.
Psalm 91 also emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the relationship between God and His people. It is not a one-sided relationship where God simply provides and protects. Instead, it involves a mutual commitment where people express their faith and trust in God, and in response, God provides His protection and deliverance.
In conclusion, Psalm 91 is a profound and comforting Psalm that speaks of God's protective care for His people. It assures believers that they can find refuge and security in God in the midst of life's challenges and dangers. It encourages a deep and intimate relationship with God, where trust in God is met with divine protection, deliverance, and blessing. It is a Psalm that provides comfort, reassurance, and hope in times of distress, danger, and uncertainty.
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