DECLARE PSALM 91

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.”

(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.

(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.

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.

(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).

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

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.

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.

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

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)

Psalm 105:1-6 Hallelujah!

There is nothing to compare with seeing the face of the Lord. When you seek first his kingdom; his way of doing and being right all things will be added unto you. When you seek the Lord it is easier to resist temptation; it transforms you. If you have invited Jesus into your heart and have been born again, the presence of God goes with you. However, there comes a time to get quiet, meditate and soak in his presence. Enter into this time by giving thanks unto the Lord; pray that the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart will be acceptable in his sight, asking the Holy Spirit to help you. You may sing praises to Him. Praise him for all of His marvelous deeds. Glory in His holy name. Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and crave Him and His strength (His might and inflexibility to temptation); seek and require His face and His presence [continually] evermore. (Psalm 105:1-4)  

PRAYER:  One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple. LORD, I seek you with my whole heart, and desire to walk in your ways. I praise you today with uprightness of heart. With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me wander from your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD! Teach me your statues, in the name of Jesus, I pray. You are a Rewarder of those who diligently seek you. (Psalm 27:4; Psalm 119:1-16; Hebrews 11:6)

Lord, the plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to me, but from You comes the [wise] answer of the tongue. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but You, Lord, weigh the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart). I roll my works upon You [commit and trust them wholly to You; You will cause my thoughts to become agreeable to Your will, and] so shall my plans be established and succeed. In the name of Jesus I thank You for directing my paths.  (Proverbs 16)

Holy Spirit, help me plant the good seeds of righteousness. I expect to reap a crop of peace and love. I plow up the hard ground of my heart for now is the time to seek the Lord. Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. I am a peacemaker planting seeds of peace and I will reap a harvest of goodness in the name of Jesus. Amen. (Hosea 10:12 (Living);Psalm 26:2-3 (NIV);James 3:18 (Living)

Psalm 105: 1-6 Hallelujah!
Thank God! Pray to him by name!

    Tell everyone you meet what he has done!

Sing him songs, belt out hymns,

    translate his wonders into music!

Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,

    you who seek God. Live a happy life!

Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;

    be alert for signs of his presence.

Remember the world of wonders he has made,

    his miracles, and the verdicts he’s rendered—

        O seed of Abraham, his servant,

        O child of Jacob, his chosen.

    

~Bits and Pieces of  "The Message" 

Prayer of Devotion of Our Salvation

Dear Heavenly Father, I come into your presence with thanksgiving. It is by fearful and glorious things [that terrify the wicked but make me sing praises] that you answer my prayers in righteousness (rightness and justice). You are the God of my salvation. You are my confidence and hope. I know that in the morning you hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for you and watch and wait [for you to speak to my heart]. Thank you for answering me from your holy heaven with the saving strength of your right hand. For in you, O Lord, do I hope; you will answer, O Lord my God. I love you with all that is within me, and I praise your holy name.  (Psalm 20:4-6)

My desire is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before others or have their good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  (Philip. 3:10 (NIV); Galatians 2:20 (Message)

In the name of Jesus, I shall go to all to whom you send me, and whatever you command me, I shall speak. I will not be afraid of their faces, for you are with me to deliver me. Whenever I feel afraid, I will trust in you. I will praise Your Word, in you I have put my trust; I will not fear, what can man do to me? You have spoken, and my faith is in you. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Jeremiah 1:6-8: Psalm 56:3-4; Philippians 4:13)

I will look for occasions to bring healing, to strengthen and bless others. I purpose to do good every time it is possible. I will not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of my hand to do so. If my enemy is hungry, I will feed him; if he is thirsty, I will give him a drink. In the name of Jesus, I will overcome evil with good.  (Proverbs 3:27; Romans 12:20-21)

Holy Spirit, I ask you to perfect the fruit of my lips giving praise. Thank you for this mighty weapon of praise, which stops and stills the enemy. I am joyful in the Salvation of my Lord. I greatly rejoice in your strength, O LORD; and in your salvation! You have given me my heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of my lips. You meet me with the blessings of goodness…you give me life and length of days. You have made me exceedingly glad with your presence. Be exalted, O LORD, in your own strength!  (Psalm 8;  Psalm 21)

This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it! My delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on Your law I habitually meditate (ponder and study) by day and by night. Then I shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water; ready to bring forth fruit in my season; my leaf shall not fade or wither, and everything I do shall prosper and come to maturity.  (Psalm 118:24; Psalm 1:2-3)

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth and pray for you.  I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.  (Ephesians 3:17-19 MSG)

Prayers that Avail Much