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Commentary on Psalms 91 verses 1–8
In these verses we have,
I. A great truth laid down in general, That all those who live a life of communion with God are constantly safe under his protection, and may therefore preserve a holy serenity and security of mind at all times (Psa 91:1): He that dwells, that sits down, in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty; he that by faith chooses God for his guardian shall find all that in him which he needs or can desire. Note, 1. It is the character of a true believer that he dwells in the secret place of the Most High; he is at home in God, returns to God, and reposes in him as his rest; he acquaints himself with inward religion, and makes heart-work of the service of God, worships within the veil, and loves to be alone with God, to converse with him in solitude. 2. It is the privilege and comfort of those that do so that they abide under the shadow of the Almighty; he shelters them, and comes between them and every thing that would annoy them, whether storm or sunshine. They shall not only have an admittance, but a residence, under God's protection; he will be their rest and refuge for ever.
II. The psalmist's comfortable application of this to himself (Psa 91:2): I will say of the Lord, whatever others say of him, "He is my refuge; I choose him as such, and confide in him. Others make idols their refuge, but I will say of Jehovah, the true and living God, He is my refuge: any other is a refuge of lies. He is a refuge that will not fail me; for he is my fortress and strong-hold." Idolaters called their idols Mahuzzim, their most strong-hold (Dan 11:39), but therein they deceived themselves; those only secure themselves that make the Lord their God, their fortress. There being no reason to question his sufficiency, fitly does it follow, In him will I trust. If Jehovah be our God, our refuge, and our fortress, what can we desire which we may not be sure to find in him? He is neither fickle nor false, neither weak nor mortal; he is God and not man, and therefore there is no danger of being disappointed in him. We know whom we have trusted.
III. The great encouragement he gives to others to do likewise, not only from his own experience of the comfort of it (for in that there might possibly be a fallacy), but from the truth of God's promise, in which there neither is nor can be any deceit (Psa 91:3, Psa 91:4, etc.): Surely he shall deliver thee. Those who have themselves found the comfort of making God their refuge cannot but desire that others may do so. Now here it is promised,
1.That believers shall be kept from those mischiefs which they are in imminent danger of, and which would be fatal to them (Psa 91:3), from the snare of the fowler, which is laid unseen and catches the unwary prey on a sudden, and from the noisome pestilence, which seizes men unawares and against which there is no guard. This promise protects, (1.) The natural life, and is often fulfilled in our preservation from those dangers which are very threatening and very near, while yet we ourselves are not apprehensive of them, any more than the bird is of the snare of the fowler. We owe it, more than we are sensible, to the care of the divine Providence that we have been kept from infectious diseases and out of the hands of the wicked and unreasonable. (2.) The spiritual life, which is protected by divine grace from the temptations of Satan, which are as the snares of the fowler, and from the contagion of sin, which is the noisome pestilence. He that has given grace to be the glory of the soul will create a defence upon all that glory.
2.That God himself will be their protector; those must needs be safe who have him for their keeper, and successful for whom he undertakes (Psa 91:4): He shall cover thee, shall keep thee secret (Psa 31:20), and so keep thee safe, Psa 27:5. God protects believers, (1.) With the greatest tenderness and affection, which is intimated in that, He shall cover thee with his feathers, under his wings, which alludes to the hen gathering her chickens under wings, Mat 23:37. By natural instinct she not only protects them, but calls them under that protection when she sees them in danger, not only keeps them safe, but cherishes them and keeps them warm. To this the great God is pleased to compare his care of his people, who are helpless as the chickens, and easily made a prey of, but are invited to trust under the shadow of the wings of the divine promise and providence, which is the periphrasis of a proselyte to the true religion, that he has come to trust under the wings of the God of Israel, Rut 2:12. (2.) With the greatest power and efficacy. Wings and feathers, though spread with the greatest tenderness, are yet weak, and easily broken through, and therefore it is added, His truth shall be thy shield and buckler, a strong defence. God is willing to guard his people as the hen is to guard the chickens, and as able as a man of war in armour.
3.That he will not only keep them from evil, but from the fear of evil, Psa 91:5, Psa 91:6. Here is, (1.) Great danger supposed; the mention of it is enough to frighten us; night and day we lie exposed, and those that are apt to be timorous will in neither period think themselves safe. When we are retired into our chambers, our beds, and have made all as safe as we can about us, yet there is terror by night, from thieves and robbers, winds and storms, besides those things that are the creatures of fancy and imagination, which are often most frightful of all. We read of fear in the night, Sol 3:8. There is also a pestilence that walketh in darkness, as that was which slew the first-born of the Egyptians, and the army of the Assyrians. No locks nor bars can shut out diseases, while we carry about with us in our bodies the seeds of them. But surely in the day-time, when we can look about us, we are not so much in danger; yes, there is an arrow that flieth by day too, and yet flies unseen; there is a destruction that wasteth at high-noon, when we are awake and have all our friends about us; even then we cannot secure ourselves, nor can they secure us. It was in the day-time that that pestilence wasted which was sent to chastise David for numbering the people, on occasion of which some think this psalm was penned. But, (2.) Here is great security promised to believers in the midst of this danger: "Thou shalt not be afraid. God by his grace will keep thee from disquieting distrustful fear (that fear which hath torment) in the midst of the greatest dangers. Wisdom shall keep thee from being causelessly afraid, and faith shall keep thee from being inordinately afraid. Thou shalt not be afraid of the arrow, as knowing that though it may hit thee it cannot hurt thee; if it take away the natural life, yet it shall be so far from doing any prejudice to the spiritual life that it shall be its perfection." A believer needs not fear, and therefore should not fear, any arrow, because the point is off, the poison is out. O death! where is thy sting? It is also under divine direction, and will hit where God appoints and not otherwise. Every bullet has its commission. Whatever is done our heavenly Father's will is done; and we have no reason to be afraid of that.
4.That they shall be preserved in common calamities, in a distinguishing way (Psa 91:7): "When death rides in triumph, and diseases rage, so that thousands and ten thousands fall, fall by sickness, or fall by the sword in battle, fall at thy side, at thy right hand, and the sight of their fall is enough to frighten thee, and if they fall by the pestilence their falling so near thee may be likely to infect thee, yet it shall not come nigh thee, the death shall not, the fear of death shall not." Those that preserve their purity in times of general corruption may trust God with their safety in times of general desolation. When multitudes die round about us, though thereby we must be awakened to prepare for our own death, yet we must not be afraid with any amazement, nor make ourselves subject to bondage, as many do all their life-time, through fear of death, Heb 2:15. The sprinkling of blood secured the first-born of Israel when thousands fell. Nay, it is promised to God's people that they shall have the satisfaction of seeing, not only God's promises fulfilled to them, but his threatenings fulfilled upon those that hate them (Psa 91:8): Only with thy eyes shalt thou behold and see the just reward of the wicked, which perhaps refers to the destruction of the first-born of Egypt by the pestilence, which was both the punishment of the oppressors and the enlargement of the oppressed; this Israel saw when they saw themselves unhurt, untouched. As it will aggravate the damnation of sinners that with their eyes they shall behold and see the reward of the righteous (Luk 13:28), so it will magnify the salvation of the saints that with their eyes they shall behold and see the destruction of the wicked, Isa 66:24; Psa 58:10.
When the great David heard and understood this, he [David] said to him “who dwells in the shelter of the most High; He will overshadow you with his shoulders,” which is the same as being behind God (for the shoulder is on the back of the body). Concerning himself David says, “My soul clings close to you, your right hand supports me.” You see how Psalms agree with the history. For as the one says that the right hand is a help to the person who has joined himself close behind God, so the other says that the hand touches the person who waits in the rock on the divine voice and prays that he might follow behind.
“Say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God.’ ” I am hemmed in by enemies. You, therefore, are my refuge. “ ‘In whom I will trust.’ For he will rescue you from the snare of the hunters.’ ” Note carefully that the psalmist did not say “I trust” but “I will trust.” As long as we continue in a life of sin, we certainly are not trusting; if we put an end to sin, then our hope is confident. “For he will rescue you from the snare of the hunters.” There are many hunters in this world that go about setting traps for our soul. Nimrod the giant was a “mighty hunter before the Lord.” Esau, too, was a hunter, for he was a sinner. In all of holy Scripture, never do we find a hunter that is a faithful servant; we do find faithful fishermen.“For he will rescue you from the snare of the hunters.” “We were rescued like a bird from the fowler’s snare; broken was the snare, and we were freed.” What snare is this that has been broken? “The Lord,” says the apostle, “will speedily crush Satan under our feet”;10 “that you may recover yourselves from the snare of the devil.” You see, then, that the devil is the hunter, eager to lure our souls unto perdition. The devil is master of many snares, deceptions of all kinds. Avarice is one of his pitfalls, disparagement is his noose, fornication is his bait. “And from the destroying word.” As long as we are in the state of grace, our soul is at peace; but once we begin to play with sin, then our soul is in trouble and is like a boat tossed about by the waves.
“Nor the attack of the noonday demon.” This is better expressed by the Greek. Symptosis implies a chance occurrence when something strange happens unexpectedly; or symptoma may denote a disaster in which many perish at the same time. Grasp, then, what it means. Even though many have been seduced, nevertheless, you who are in the state of grace may escape seduction. I shall give you an example so that even the more simple[-minded] among you may understand what I mean. If you should go to the city, a monk all by yourself, and while you are strolling about you hear a shout in the circus and someone says to you, “Come and see, it is the circus,” and you hold back remonstrating, “I have no permission, I cannot go”; if he should call your attention to the thousands of people there and say to you, “Two hundred thousand people are there, are they all going to be lost, and you alone be saved?” You have to be aware that symptoma is the devil’s own doing. What I am trying to say is that you have to know that many do perish and are lost.
He then who so imitates Christ as to endure all the troubles of this world, with his hopes set upon God, that he falls into no snare, is broken down by no panic fears, he it is "who dwells under the defence of the Most High, who shall abide under the protection of God" [Psalm 91:1], in the words with which the Psalm, which you have heard and sung, begins. You will recognise the words, so well known, in which the devil tempted our Lord, when we come to them. "He shall say unto the Lord, You are my taker up, and my refuge: my God" [Psalm 91:2]. Who speaks thus to the Lord? "He who dwells under the defence of the Most High:" not under his own defence. Who is this? He dwells under the defence of the Most High, who is not proud, like those who ate, that they might become as Gods, and lost the immortality in which they were made. For they chose to dwell under a defence of their own, not under that of the Most High: thus they listened to the suggestions of the serpent, [Genesis 3:5] and despised the precept of God: and discovered at last that what God threatened, not what the devil promised, had come to pass in them.
“When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, made from a woman, made under the law.” People are upset by “made from a woman,” because we confess that he was born of a virgin. It is only of man that we confess he was made; God is always the one who makes, he cannot be made in order to be. God cannot be made; but he is made into, or becomes, something for someone, in the way in which it is said of him, “Lord, you have become (or have been made into) a refuge for us”; and, “The Lord has become (has been made) my helper.” How many things he has been made into, though he never was made at all! Now the Lord Christ was made man, … in order for him who was always the creator to be a creature. While remaining God, you see, he became man in order to become what he was not, not in order to stop being what he was.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 91:1 serves as the foundational declaration of divine security, asserting that those who cultivate a deep, intimate, and continuous relationship with God, referred to as the "Most High," will experience the all-encompassing, protective presence of the "Almighty." This verse introduces the profound truth that true refuge and unwavering shelter are found not in human strength or earthly circumstances, but in a settled, trusting residence within the very presence and power of God, setting the stage for the psalm's rich promises of preservation and deliverance.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 91 opens as a profound declaration of God's unwavering protection for those who trust Him, immediately following Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses reflecting on the brevity of human life and the eternal nature of God. This juxtaposition highlights a crucial transition: from acknowledging human frailty and God's judgment to embracing His steadfast refuge and security. Verse 1 sets the indispensable condition for the subsequent promises of deliverance from snares, pestilence, terror, and war, such as those found in Psalms 91:3-7. It establishes that the blessings described throughout the psalm are not automatic but flow from a committed, abiding relationship with God, framing the entire psalm as a testament to the security found in divine intimacy.
Historical & Cultural Context: While the author of Psalm 91 is not explicitly named, its themes resonate deeply with the experiences of ancient Israel, a nation often surrounded by hostile forces and vulnerable to natural dangers and diseases. The imagery of "shadow" and "secret place" evokes the ancient Near Eastern concept of a powerful patron or king providing shelter and protection to those under their care, often in literal fortresses or strongholds. The titles "Most High" (Elyon) and "Almighty" (Shaddai) were significant in the broader Semitic world, denoting supreme deity and self-sufficient power, respectively. For the Israelites, these titles affirmed Yahweh's unparalleled sovereignty and His unique ability to provide ultimate security in a world fraught with peril, whether from human enemies, wilderness dangers, or unseen spiritual threats, underscoring His unmatched capacity as a divine protector.
Key Themes: This foundational verse introduces several pivotal themes that permeate Psalm 91 and resonate throughout the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes Intimacy and Abiding, portraying a continuous, intentional, and personal relationship with God as the prerequisite for divine protection, echoing the call to "walk with God" seen in figures like Enoch and Noah. Secondly, it highlights Divine Protection and Shelter, using vivid metaphors like "shadow" to convey God's comprehensive and active guardianship over His devoted followers, a theme consistently found in passages like Psalms 17:8 and Isaiah 49:2. Lastly, the verse underscores God's Sovereign Power and Sufficiency, through the titles "Most High" and "Almighty," affirming His supreme authority and boundless capacity to fulfill His promises of preservation, a truth reinforced by the declarations in Psalms 46:1 and Nahum 1:7.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Dwelleth (Hebrew, yâshab', H3427): This verb signifies more than a temporary stay; it implies a settled, continuous habitation, a permanent residence. Derived from a root meaning "to sit down," it conveys the idea of establishing oneself, abiding, or remaining. In this context, it denotes a deep, ongoing, and intentional relationship with God, where one's spiritual life is rooted and established in His presence, indicating a lifestyle of intimate communion rather than fleeting visits.
Secret Place (Hebrew, çêther', H5643): This noun refers to a hiding place, a covering, or a shelter. It evokes a sense of intimacy and security, a secluded sanctuary where one is concealed and protected from external dangers. It suggests a privileged access to God's inner presence, a place of profound communion and refuge known only to those who seek Him, offering both literal and figurative protection from threats.
Shadow (Hebrew, tsêl', H6738): This word literally means "shade" and metaphorically represents protection, comfort, and refuge. In a hot, arid climate, shade provides vital relief and safety from the scorching sun. When applied to God, it powerfully conveys His protective presence, His ability to shield from harm, and the comforting solace found under His watchful care, much like a bird sheltering its young under its wings or a great rock providing respite in a weary land.
Verse Breakdown
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High": This opening clause establishes the condition for divine protection. "Dwelling" implies a continuous, intentional, and intimate relationship, not a casual visit, signifying a lifestyle of abiding in God's presence. The "secret place" refers to a profound, hidden communion with God, a sanctuary of His presence accessible through faith and devotion, where one is concealed from the world's perils. "Most High" (Hebrew: Elyon) emphasizes God's supreme sovereignty, His exalted position above all creation, and His absolute, unrivaled power.
"shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty": This second clause declares the guaranteed outcome of such intimacy. To "abide" reinforces the continuous nature of the protection, indicating a sustained experience of God's care. The "shadow" is a powerful metaphor for God's comprehensive, comforting, and active guardianship, shielding from all harm and danger, providing both defense and solace. "Almighty" (Hebrew: Shaddai) signifies God's self-sufficiency, His boundless power, and His ability to fulfill all His promises, especially those of protection and provision for those who trust Him, affirming His omnipotence as the source of security.
Literary Devices
Psalm 91:1 is rich in Metaphor and Divine Epithet, which combine to create a profound image of divine protection. The phrase "secret place" functions as a metaphor for an intimate, hidden communion with God, suggesting a sanctuary of profound spiritual security and privileged access. Similarly, "shadow of the Almighty" is a powerful metaphor, evoking the protective presence of a bird sheltering its young under its wings or the vital relief provided by shade in a harsh environment. This imagery vividly conveys God's comprehensive, comforting, and active guardianship. The verse's impact is further amplified by the use of two distinct Divine Epithets, "Most High" (Elyon) and "Almighty" (Shaddai), which serve to emphasize God's supreme sovereignty and His boundless power. Elyon highlights His exalted position above all creation and His transcendence, while Shaddai underscores His self-sufficiency and all-encompassing might, reinforcing the absolute reliability of the protection offered. The verse also employs a subtle form of Parallelism, where the two clauses ("He that dwelleth..." and "shall abide...") reinforce and elaborate on the same core idea of security found in God's intimate presence.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 91:1 lays the theological groundwork for understanding God's active and personal involvement in the lives of His faithful. It posits that divine protection is not a random occurrence but a direct consequence of a cultivated, intimate relationship with the Creator. This concept of "dwelling" in God's presence is foundational to biblical spirituality, emphasizing that true security and flourishing are found not in self-reliance or worldly defenses, but in consistently seeking and resting in the omnipotent care of the Most High. It highlights God's character as both sovereign (Elyon), transcending all earthly powers, and all-sufficient (Shaddai), capable of providing complete refuge from any threat, whether seen or unseen. This verse invites believers into a deeper trust, reminding them that their ultimate safety is secured by the One who holds all power and authority, fostering a profound sense of peace and reliance.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 91:1 offers profound comfort and a clear call to action for believers navigating a world filled with uncertainty and peril. The invitation to "dwell in the secret place of the Most High" is an exhortation to cultivate a continuous, intentional, and deeply personal relationship with God. This isn't about fleeting moments of prayer or occasional church attendance, but a lifestyle of abiding in His presence through consistent communion, diligent meditation on His Word, and active obedience. When we make God our permanent dwelling, our spiritual home, we activate the promise of His unwavering protection. To "abide under the shadow of the Almighty" means to live with the profound assurance that His omnipotent power is our constant shield, providing refuge from all forms of danger—physical, emotional, and spiritual. In an age of anxiety, this verse reminds us that our ultimate security is not found in human ingenuity, financial stability, or political systems, but in the all-sufficient, loving care of our sovereign God, empowering us to face life's challenges with courage and peace, knowing we are eternally safe in His embrace.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the "secret place" mentioned in this verse?
Answer: The "secret place" (Hebrew: çêther) refers to a hidden, intimate sanctuary of God's presence. It's not a physical location but a spiritual state of deep communion and fellowship with God. It implies a relationship characterized by trust, devotion, and a conscious seeking of His presence, where one finds refuge and concealment from the dangers and anxieties of the world. It is a place of profound spiritual security, accessible to those who consistently draw near to God, as encouraged in James 4:8.
What do "Most High" and "Almighty" signify about God?
Answer: These are two powerful divine titles that reveal God's character and authority. "Most High" (Hebrew: Elyon) emphasizes God's supreme sovereignty, His exalted position above all creation, and His ultimate authority over everything. It speaks to His transcendence and unparalleled greatness. "Almighty" (Hebrew: Shaddai) signifies God's self-sufficiency, His boundless power, and His ability to fulfill all His promises. It highlights His omnipotence and His complete sufficiency to provide, protect, and sustain. Together, they assure the believer that the One offering protection is absolutely sovereign and infinitely powerful, capable of delivering on His promises, as seen in His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17:1.
Is God's protection in this verse conditional or unconditional?
Answer: The protection described in Psalms 91:1 is presented as conditional upon a particular relationship with God. The verse begins with "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High," implying that the promise of abiding "under the shadow of the Almighty" is for those who actively cultivate and maintain a deep, intimate, and continuous relationship with God. While God's love and grace are unconditional, the specific experience of this comprehensive, abiding protection is contingent upon a lifestyle of trust, obedience, and dwelling in His presence, as further elaborated throughout the psalm, for example, in Psalms 91:9-10.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 91:1 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of the "secret place" and the "shadow of the Almighty" for believers. In Christ, we are invited not merely to visit but to permanently "dwell" in God's presence, for He is "Immanuel," God with us, as prophesied and fulfilled in Matthew 1:23. Through His atoning work on the cross, Jesus has opened the way for us to draw near to God with confidence, tearing the veil that separated humanity from the Most High, granting us bold access to the Father's presence, as revealed in Hebrews 10:19-22. When we are "in Christ," we are literally abiding in the Son, and thus in the Father, experiencing the full protective embrace of the Almighty. He is our ultimate refuge, the One who truly shelters us from the dominion of sin, death, and the devil, having delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, as proclaimed in Colossians 1:13. The security promised in this psalm is not just a temporal protection but an eternal one, guaranteed by our union with Christ, who conquered all principalities and powers, triumphing over them by the cross, as stated in Colossians 2:15. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and in Him, we find our true "secret place" of rest and our eternal "shadow" of salvation, as declared by John the Baptist in John 1:29.