Psalms 91:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because he hath set his love {H2836}{H8804)} upon me, therefore will I deliver {H6403}{H8762)} him: I will set him on high {H7682}{H8762)}, because he hath known {H3045}{H8804)} my name {H8034}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Because he loves me, I will rescue him; because he knows my name, I will protect him.

Berean Standard Bible

“Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 91:14 stands as a profound divine declaration, revealing God's unwavering commitment to those who cultivate a deep, intentional love for Him and possess an intimate, experiential knowledge of His character. This verse articulates a reciprocal covenantal relationship, promising both active deliverance from adversity and spiritual elevation to a place of security and honor for the faithful, underscoring the profound benefits of wholehearted devotion to the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 91 is a powerful psalm of trust and divine protection, often referred to as a "Psalm of Refuge." The preceding verses (91:1-13) describe the security and blessings available to those who "dwell in the secret place of the Most High" and "abide under the shadow of the Almighty." These verses enumerate various forms of divine protection from dangers, diseases, and spiritual adversaries, often using vivid imagery of a bird's wings or a shield. Verse 14 marks a significant shift: it is the direct voice of God Himself, responding to the psalmist's declarations of faith. It serves as the theological climax, articulating the foundational conditions—love and intimate knowledge—upon which the extensive promises of protection and exaltation in the psalm are predicated. This divine pronouncement transforms the psalmist's hopeful trust into a firm, covenantal assurance from God's own mouth.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical setting of Psalm 91 is not specified, its themes resonate deeply with the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine patronage and covenant. In a world fraught with natural dangers, warfare, and disease, the concept of a deity providing absolute protection to their devoted followers was highly significant. The idea of "knowing God's name" (or the name of a deity) was not merely intellectual assent but implied a deep, personal, and often covenantal relationship, signifying intimate understanding of character, power, and authority. To "set one's love upon" a deity implied exclusive devotion and loyalty, akin to the covenant stipulations found in the Mosaic Law, where Israel was called to love Yahweh alone. The promise to "set him on high" would have been understood both literally (e.g., being placed in a fortified city, safe from enemies) and metaphorically (e.g., elevated status, honor, and security beyond common threats).
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 91:14 encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Protection and Deliverance**, where God acts as a shield and fortress for His people, as seen in [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is My Rock and My Fortress"). This verse also highlights the **Reciprocal Nature of the Covenant Relationship**, emphasizing that God's extraordinary promises are contingent upon human devotion and intimate knowledge of Him, echoing the call to love God with all one's being found in [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Great Commandment"). The theme of **Intimate Knowledge of God** is central, moving beyond mere intellectual understanding to an experiential, relational knowing of His character and power, which is foundational to true faith and security. Finally, the promise of **Exaltation and Security** signifies not just physical safety but also a spiritual and relational elevation, placing the believer in a privileged position of divine favor, as implied by dwelling in the "secret place of the Most High" in [Psalm 91:1](/psalms/91-1 "Psalm 91:1 - Dwelling in the Secret Place of the Most High").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"set his love upon" (Hebrew, _ḥāshaq'_):** This verb conveys a strong, passionate, and clinging affection. It implies a deep attachment, delight, and longing for someone or something. It is not a casual liking but a profound, intentional, and volitional choice to be bound to God, signifying a love that is chosen, steadfast, and prioritized above all else. This word suggests a fervent desire and delight in God's person.
* **"known my name" (Hebrew, _yada' shmi'_):** To "know" (יָדַע, _yada'_) in Hebrew often implies an intimate, experiential, and relational knowledge, rather than mere intellectual acquaintance. It suggests a deep personal relationship, understanding God's character, attributes, and power through personal encounter and faithfulness. To "know God's name" is to understand His revealed being, His promises, and His faithfulness as demonstrated throughout history and in one's own life, akin to the way a husband "knows" his wife in a biblical sense.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because he hath set his love upon me":** This clause establishes the primary condition for God's subsequent actions. It describes a profound, active, and affectionate devotion from the human heart towards God. This love is not passive but a deliberate choice to cling to God, delight in Him, and prioritize Him above all else. It signifies a genuine, heartfelt attachment that forms the basis of the relationship.
* **"therefore will I deliver him":** This is God's first promised response, a direct consequence of the love described. "Deliver" (חָלַץ, _ḥālaṣ_) means to rescue, to draw out, or to set free from danger, trouble, or distress. This promise encompasses both physical salvation from perils and spiritual liberation from sin and its consequences, demonstrating God's active intervention on behalf of His beloved.
* **"I will set him on high":** This is God's second promised response. "Set on high" (שָׂגַב, _śāḡaḇ_) implies elevation, exaltation, and security. It means to place someone in an inaccessible, safe, or fortified position, beyond the reach of enemies or harm. Metaphorically, it signifies being raised to a position of honor, privilege, and divine protection, demonstrating God's commitment to not only rescue but also to establish and secure His faithful ones.
* **"because he hath known my name":** This second clause reiterates and reinforces the condition for God's blessings, focusing on the intellectual and experiential dimension of the relationship. Knowing God's name signifies an intimate, personal understanding of His character, His attributes, and His covenantal faithfulness. This knowledge is born out of experience, trust, and a deep relationship with the living God, confirming the foundation of the divine promises.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 91:14 employs several powerful literary devices. It is structured as a **Conditional Promise**, where God's actions are directly dependent on human responses ("Because... therefore... because..."). This highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant. The verse also exhibits **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two "because" clauses ("Because he hath set his love upon me" and "because he hath known my name") express similar ideas of deep devotion and intimate knowledge, reinforcing the singular foundation for God's favor. Similarly, the two "I will" clauses ("therefore will I deliver him" and "I will set him on high") describe complementary aspects of divine protection and exaltation. The direct speech of God ("I will...") is a form of **Anthropomorphism**, allowing the divine to speak in human terms, making the promise immediate and personal. Finally, "I will set him on high" functions as a **Metaphor** for security, honor, and elevation, moving beyond a literal physical height to encompass a state of spiritual and relational safety and prominence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 91:14 profoundly articulates the theological truth that God's most extraordinary blessings—deliverance and exaltation—are not arbitrary but flow from a deeply personal and intentional relationship characterized by love and intimate knowledge. This verse underscores the biblical principle that true security and divine favor are found not in self-reliance or external circumstances, but in a heart wholly devoted to God, actively seeking to understand and respond to His revealed character. It speaks to the covenantal faithfulness of God, who responds with abundant grace and power to those who genuinely pursue Him, affirming that the depth of our relationship with Him directly impacts the manifestation of His protective and elevating presence in our lives.

* [Proverbs 18:10](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower")
* [John 14:21](/john/14-21 "John 14:21 - Loving Jesus and Being Loved by God")
* [1 John 4:19](/1_john/4-19 "1 John 4:19 - We Love Because He First Loved Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 91:14 offers a timeless blueprint for experiencing God's profound protection and elevation. It challenges believers to move beyond a superficial acquaintance with God to cultivate a vibrant, passionate love for Him that permeates every aspect of life. This "setting of love" means prioritizing Him above all desires, clinging to His truth, and delighting in His presence. Simultaneously, "knowing His name" calls for an active, ongoing pursuit of His character through His Word, prayer, and obedience, allowing His attributes to be revealed experientially in our lives. When we genuinely love Him and intimately know Him, we position ourselves to receive His promised deliverance from life's adversities and His divine elevation, which secures us in a place of peace, honor, and safety that transcends earthly circumstances. This verse invites us to examine the depth of our own devotion and knowledge, assuring us that a fervent pursuit of God will always be met with His faithful and powerful response.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How would you describe the current depth of your "love set upon" God? What practical steps can you take to deepen your affection and devotion to Him?**
* **In what ways are you actively seeking to "know God's name" experientially, beyond just intellectual understanding? How has this intimate knowledge impacted your trust in Him?**
* **Reflect on a time when you experienced God's "deliverance" or "setting on high" in your life. How did your relationship with Him contribute to that experience?**
* **What might be hindering you from cultivating a more profound love for God or a deeper knowledge of His character?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "setting one's love upon" God in this verse?**

Answer: "Setting one's love upon" God, from the Hebrew word _ḥāshaq_, signifies a deep, passionate, and intentional affection that goes beyond mere admiration or intellectual assent. It implies a profound delight in God, a strong desire to cling to Him, and a volitional choice to prioritize Him above all else. This is not a passive emotion but an active, devoted commitment of the heart, mind, and will. It's the kind of love that seeks intimacy, cherishes presence, and finds its ultimate satisfaction in God alone, making Him the supreme object of one's desires and devotion. This deep-seated love is presented as the foundational condition for God's reciprocal promises of deliverance and exaltation.

**How does "knowing God's name" differ from just knowing about God?**

Answer: In biblical thought, "knowing God's name" (Hebrew _yada' shmi_) is far more than intellectual acquaintance with His titles or attributes. It refers to an intimate, experiential, and relational knowledge that comes through personal encounter, trust, and obedience. To know God's name means to understand His character, His power, His faithfulness, and His covenant promises as revealed through His actions in history and in one's own life. It implies a relationship of deep trust and reliance, where one has personally experienced God's nature and found Him to be true to His word. This contrasts sharply with merely knowing facts about God, which lacks the transformative power of a lived relationship. For example, [John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life is Knowing God") speaks of eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ, emphasizing this relational aspect.

**Are the promises in Psalm 91:14 conditional?**

Answer: Yes, the promises in Psalm 91:14 are explicitly conditional, introduced by the word "Because" (or "For" in some translations). God states, "Because he hath set his love upon me... I will deliver him... because he hath known my name." This structure clearly links God's actions (deliverance and exaltation) to the human response of deep love and intimate knowledge of Him. While God's grace is always primary and unmerited, this verse highlights that the *experience* and *manifestation* of certain divine blessings are contingent upon a reciprocal, devoted relationship. It underscores the importance of actively cultivating our side of the covenant with God, demonstrating that our spiritual posture directly impacts the flow of His protective and exalting power in our lives.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 91:14 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the one who perfectly "set His love upon" the Father, demonstrating unparalleled devotion and obedience even unto death on the cross, as seen in [John 14:31](/john/14-31 "John 14:31 - Jesus Loves the Father"). Furthermore, Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's "name" and character; as [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God, Except the Son") declares, "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known." Through Christ, we truly come to know the Father's name and nature. Because of Jesus' perfect love and knowledge of the Father, He was delivered from death through resurrection and "set on high" at the Father's right hand, receiving all authority in heaven and on earth ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus Exalted")). Moreover, it is through faith in Christ that believers are enabled to truly love God and intimately know Him. By being united with Christ, we participate in His deliverance and His exaltation; we are not only delivered from the power of sin and death but are also "raised with him and seated with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" ([Ephesians 2:6](/ephesians/2-6 "Ephesians 2:6 - Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places")). Thus, Psalm 91:14 points to the saving work of Christ, who perfectly embodies the conditions and secures the promises for all who are in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 9:10

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

John 14:23

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

James 1:12

Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

John 16:27

For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

James 2:5

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Philippians 2:9

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: