Reading and study on the Psalms can easily seem to be a daunting task; with their variety of subject matter or focus, mix of historical contexts, and powerful emotional impact, they can be intimidating to those unfamiliar with them. However, we know that all scripture is breathed out by God for a specific purpose; some scripture is meant to instruct or guide us in how we should walk, others to illustrate a point or principle, others reassure us that regardless of the chaos around us in the world, that God is in control, and we as believers can fully rest in the assurance of His power. And Psalm 91 is a wonderful and beautiful call for man to recognize God’s infinite power, as well as a potent reminder that we are guarded and protected by His power.
The first verse is an open declaration of fact, that those who live under the shelter of God Most High can find rest, safe and secure under the shadow of His strength- the second verse continues this train of thought, with the speaker emphasizing that he, and by extension we today, can trust in the Lord as both a refuge (a place of safety and rest) as well as a fortress (a stronghold specifically designed to withstand an enemy attack and support those secured within)- the picture painted here is one of complete protection regardless of the external situation. However, God’s defense of His people is not merely static, or limited to any specific location or jurisdiction; verse three describes how the Lord protects his people from active threats, pictured here as a hunter laying traps or an infection seeking a foothold to develop, and verse four illustrates this with God sheltering His people under the feathered wings of a bird; the speaker again emphasizes that His faithfulness will be as a shield to His people- God will never cease to protect His people, and His strength will never fail.
Because of this security we have, verse five records how we as believers will fear neither threats in the night or attacks against us in the day, with six extending the illustration to pestilence and plague and seven and reminding us that though many people around us may fall, as believers we will be protected by our Lord. Verse nine carries this thought into application; if we say that “the Lord is my refuge” and then “make the Most High” our dwelling place and security, we are promised that we will not be overtaken by harm or disaster; but what does it mean to make the Lord our dwelling? One reading could be that to simply speak of or even openly preach our safety in His protection is only half of the requirement, and that making Him our place of refuge is to not only place faith in his might to save us, but also to walk in obedience with His commands and to know and follow His law. And because we obey Him in love, verse 11 shows how He will command angels to guard us and lift us up out of dangers. Verse 13 expands this, stating that believers will be able to overcome enemies of greater strength or cunning, even the serpent; a clear representation of the devil and his venomous attacks against God’s people.
Verses 14 and following change perspectives, now from God’s point of view; He states that because His children love Him, that He will rescue them in times of trouble, and that He will also protect those who acknowledge His name, we can read in both their words and worship as well as their actions in how they live. In verse 15 God promises to answer those who call on Him, that He will remember them and hold fast to His children in times of trouble. Finally He states in the last verse that He will satisfy them with a long life, and show them His salvation; we now live in the reality, safety, and security of that salvation- the salvation that is only possible and freely given through Jesus Christ. How humbling and wonderful it is to see echoes of ourselves in a Psalm written so long ago!