The Lord’s Protection (91:1-13)
The Confidence (91:1, 2)
The Dangers (91:3-6)
The Examples (91:7-13)
The Lord’s Pledge (91:14-16)
Psalm 91:1 Whoever lives under the shelter of Elyon will remain in the shadow of Shadday.
Shelter - The temple (as in 27:5; 31:20; see also 23:6; 27:4), where the godly find safety under the protective wings of the Lord (see v. 4; 61:4). Most High.
The shadow of the Almighty. The shadow offers protection and is usually referred to as the “shadow of your wings”
There are three titles for God in these verses besides the personal name of the Lord (Yahweh): ‘Elyon (the Most High), Shaddai (the Almighty), and ’Elohim (here meaning “the Sublime God”).
In the secret place: The person who trusts in God is the one who lives close to Him. The title Most High emphasizes God’s majesty (92:1) and is parallel to the term Almighty, a translation of the divine title Shaddai. Together the terms Most High and Shaddai speak of God as a mountain-like majesty, in whose presence there is a “secret place” or a shadow. My refuge and my fortress may be rephrased as “my secure fortress.”
Psalm 91:2 I will say to Yahweh, “You are my Machseh and my Metsuda, my Elohim in whom I trust.”
Shelter - The temple (as in 27:5; 31:20; see also 23:6; 27:4), where the godly find safety under the protective wings of the Lord (see v. 4; 61:4). Most High.
The shadow of the Almighty. The shadow offers protection and is usually referred to as the “shadow of your wings”
There are three titles for God in these verses besides the personal name of the Lord (Yahweh): ‘Elyon (the Most High), Shaddai (the Almighty), and ’Elohim (here meaning “the Sublime God”).
In the secret place: The person who trusts in God is the one who lives close to Him. The title Most High emphasizes God’s majesty (92:1) and is parallel to the term Almighty, a translation of the divine title Shaddai. Together the terms Most High and Shaddai speak of God as a mountain-like majesty, in whose presence there is a “secret place” or a shadow. My refuge and my fortress may be rephrased as “my secure fortress.”
Psalm 91:2 I will say to Yahweh, “You are my Machseh and my Metsuda, my Elohim in whom I trust.”
(Psalm 142:5) I call out to you, O Yahweh. I say, “You are my Machseh, my own inheritance in this world of the living.”
Psalm 91:3 He is the one who will rescue you from hunters’ traps and from deadly plagues.
Pestilence: Attacks that come like a plague. The metaphor is significant to the Hebrews since plagues of locusts and disease were common in the Middle East (Joel 1:4). Fowler …pestilence: The images of a bird trap and various types of disease are a general description of dangers that might come to helpless people.
(Psalm 124:7) We escaped like a bird caught in a hunter’s trap. The trap was broken, and we escaped.
Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor.
His feathers …His wings: God is described as a mother hen under whose wings the psalmist can come for refuge (61:4; 63:7). Shield and buckler indicates complete protection from all harm. God is an all protective shield for the believer.
His feathers …His wings: God is described as a mother hen under whose wings the psalmist can come for refuge (61:4; 63:7). Shield and buckler indicates complete protection from all harm. God is an all protective shield for the believer.
(Psalm 17:8) Guard me as if I were the pupil in your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 91:5 You do not need to fear terrors of the night, arrows that fly during the day,
(Job 5:19) He will keep you safe from six troubles, and when the seventh one comes, no harm will touch you:
The interplay of words for night and day in these verses indicates the universal nature of God’s protection. Terror, arrow, pestilence, and destruction together refer to evil in general. Terror of night … the darkness. The darkness of night creates an inherently more dangerous setting; and perhaps due to the intensification of fever at night, illness in particular was feared.
Psalm 91:6 plagues that roam the dark, epidemics that strike at noon.
Some nights are filled with terror, and some arrows do fly by day. Yet when we find our security in the Lord, they do not have to terrify or intimidate us; He is our safety, and in Him we find rest. ~Charles F. Stanley
Psalm 91:7 They will not come near you, even though a thousand may fall dead beside you or ten thousand at your right side.
A thousand …ten thousand: Like the Israelites in Egypt who were spared the danger that touched their neighbors (Ex. 9:26; 10:23; 11:7), believers in the Lord are protected from any assault. look … And see: The punishment of the wicked is as sure as the deliverance of the righteous.
The interplay of words for night and day in these verses indicates the universal nature of God’s protection. Terror, arrow, pestilence, and destruction together refer to evil in general. Terror of night … the darkness. The darkness of night creates an inherently more dangerous setting; and perhaps due to the intensification of fever at night, illness in particular was feared.
Psalm 91:6 plagues that roam the dark, epidemics that strike at noon.
Some nights are filled with terror, and some arrows do fly by day. Yet when we find our security in the Lord, they do not have to terrify or intimidate us; He is our safety, and in Him we find rest. ~Charles F. Stanley
Psalm 91:7 They will not come near you, even though a thousand may fall dead beside you or ten thousand at your right side.
A thousand …ten thousand: Like the Israelites in Egypt who were spared the danger that touched their neighbors (Ex. 9:26; 10:23; 11:7), believers in the Lord are protected from any assault. look … And see: The punishment of the wicked is as sure as the deliverance of the righteous.
Psalm 91:8 You only have to look with your eyes to see the punishment of wicked people.
(Psalm 37:34) Wait with hope for Yahweh, and follow his path, and he will honor you by giving you the land. When wicked people are cut off, you will see it.
(Psalm 27:14) Wait with hope for Yahweh. Be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for Yahweh.
Psalm 91:9 You, O Yahweh, are my Machseh! You have made Elyon your home.
(Psalm 71:3) Be a rock on which I may live, a Maon where I may always go. You gave the order to save me! Indeed, you are my rock and my Metsuda.
(Psalm 31:2) Turn your ear toward me. Rescue me quickly. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong Metsuda to save me..
(Psalm 17:6) I have called on you because you answer me, O El. Turn your ear toward me. Hear what I have to say.
Psalm 91:10 No harm will come to you. No sickness will come near your house.
(Proverbs 12:21) No lasting harm comes to a righteous person, but wicked people have lots of trouble.
Psalm 91:11 He will put his angels in charge of you to protect you in all your ways.
Angels function as examples for believers, as they obey and worship the Lord without ceasing (Isa 6:3). Paul referred to angelic beings as powers, rulers, dominions and authorities (Eph 1:21; Col 1:16). Though a post-Enlightenment world pushes the nonphysical to the margins, the Bible’s descriptions of angels remind the believer that the spiritual world is real.
Angels function as examples for believers, as they obey and worship the Lord without ceasing (Isa 6:3). Paul referred to angelic beings as powers, rulers, dominions and authorities (Eph 1:21; Col 1:16). Though a post-Enlightenment world pushes the nonphysical to the margins, the Bible’s descriptions of angels remind the believer that the spiritual world is real.
(Psalm 34:7) The Messenger of Yahweh camps around those who fear him, and he rescues them.
(Luke 4:10) Scripture says, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you to watch over you carefully.
This was quoted by Satan to mislead Jesus in His wilderness temptation by attempting to coax Him into irresponsible behavior (Matt. 4:6).
This was quoted by Satan to mislead Jesus in His wilderness temptation by attempting to coax Him into irresponsible behavior (Matt. 4:6).
Psalm 91:12 They will carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.
The psalmist notes here that God “will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone” The angels of God are not the cute, harmless little cherubs often pictured in popular culture. They are messengers of enormous power, sent to do God’s will. The Lord in His mercy sends them to help us. ~Charles F. Stanley
The psalmist notes here that God “will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone” The angels of God are not the cute, harmless little cherubs often pictured in popular culture. They are messengers of enormous power, sent to do God’s will. The Lord in His mercy sends them to help us. ~Charles F. Stanley
Psalm 91:13 You will step on lions and cobras. You will trample young lions and snakes.
The lion and the cobra: The animal and snake imagery in this verse pictures all kinds of evil that might threaten the coming One. The Father will protect Him no matter what the danger.
The lion and the cobra: The animal and snake imagery in this verse pictures all kinds of evil that might threaten the coming One. The Father will protect Him no matter what the danger.
Psalm 91:14 Because you love me, I will rescue you. I will protect you because you know my name. (Protect him. Lit. “raise him to a high, secure place.”) The verb used here for love is not the usual Hebrew word for love. It has the idea of “holding close to,” even “hugging tightly in love” (Deut. 7:7; 10:15). He has known My name speaks of an intimate, experiential knowledge of the Father (John 1:18).
(Psalm 9:10) Those who know your name trust you, O Yahweh, because you have never deserted those who seek your help.
God describes directly the same person addressed by the psalmist in vv. 9–13. This person is the coming One. My refuge is the same word used in v. 2. Dwelling place is the same word used in Ps. 90:1. Most High: The psalmist indicates that the coming One’s faith in God is the same as the psalmist’s.
God describes directly the same person addressed by the psalmist in vv. 9–13. This person is the coming One. My refuge is the same word used in v. 2. Dwelling place is the same word used in Ps. 90:1. Most High: The psalmist indicates that the coming One’s faith in God is the same as the psalmist’s.
Psalm 91:15 When you call to me, I will answer you. I will be with you when you are in trouble. I will save you and honor you.
Although the psalmist (and reader) are not promised total immunity from calamities, the Lord assures him that He will be present with those who call upon Him and that He will deliver and honor them.
In prayer, we connect our need to God’s supply.
The Lord invites us to come to Him in prayer at any time of the day, for any reason, with any problem, challenge, or request (Ps. 50:15; 91:15; Is. 55:6; Jer. 29:12; 33:3). What keeps us from taking Him up on His offer? ~Charles F. Stanley
Although the psalmist (and reader) are not promised total immunity from calamities, the Lord assures him that He will be present with those who call upon Him and that He will deliver and honor them.
In prayer, we connect our need to God’s supply.
The Lord invites us to come to Him in prayer at any time of the day, for any reason, with any problem, challenge, or request (Ps. 50:15; 91:15; Is. 55:6; Jer. 29:12; 33:3). What keeps us from taking Him up on His offer? ~Charles F. Stanley
Psalm 91:16 I will satisfy you with a long life. I will show you how I will save you.
(Isaiah 43:2) When you go through the sea, I am with you. When you go through rivers, they will not sweep you away. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not harm you.
~Names of God Bible (NOG)
