Psalms91

Psalm 91 extols the divine protection afforded to those who dwell in the Most High. It assures believers of deliverance from various dangers, including pestilence and terror, affirming that no evil shall befall them. The psalm highlights God's promise to send angels for their safekeeping and to grant them long life and salvation.
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The Security of Dwelling in the Most High

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. ​

Deliverance from Calamity and Fear

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.

The Habitation of the Faithful

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. ​

The Lord's Personal Promise

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. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 91

Verse 1

This verse establishes the prerequisite for divine protection: intimate, continuous fellowship (dwelling in the secret place). The use of four different divine titles (Most High, Almighty, LORD, God) emphasizes the supreme power and comprehensive authority of the protector.

Verse 2

The psalmist shifts to the first person, making a personal declaration of faith. By calling God his 'refuge and fortress,' the speaker adopts military imagery common in the Ancient Near East to express absolute security against attack.

Verse 3

The 'snare of the fowler' represents hidden human plots or traps, while the 'noisome pestilence' symbolizes sudden, widespread disease. God promises deliverance from both intentional malice and unavoidable natural disaster.

Verse 4

God’s protection is described using the powerful metaphor of a mother bird shielding her young (cf. Deut 32:11), signifying tenderness and fierce defense. His 'truth' (faithfulness) is personified as the defensive weaponry (shield and buckler) that guarantees safety.

Verse 6

This verse emphasizes God’s protection against all types of fear: dangers that strike secretly in the dark (pestilence) and those that strike openly and overwhelmingly during the full light of day (destruction/war).

Verse 9

This verse acts as a hinge, reiterating the covenant condition: protection is assured *because* the believer has chosen the LORD as their ultimate dwelling place. The promise of security is contingent upon faithfulness.

Verse 11

The promise of angelic protection highlights the comprehensive nature of God's care, extending to every path ('all thy ways'). This passage was famously used by the Devil during the temptation of Christ (Matt 4:6).

Verse 13

Trampling upon dangerous beasts (lion, adder, dragon) symbolizes victory over powerful, destructive forces, both physical and spiritual. This imagery suggests the believer will conquer threats that others fear.

Verse 14

The speaker shifts dramatically to God's own voice ('I will deliver him...'), confirming the previous promises. The requirement for this divine intervention is expressed in terms of mutual affection and intimate relationship ('set his love upon me,' 'known my name').

Verse 16

The rewards promised include 'long life' (a full, blessed existence, Hebrew *orekh yamim*) and ultimately, salvation. God promises to demonstrate His saving power to the faithful believer.

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