God Our Refuge
91:1-2
Psalm 90 spoke of God as the dwelling place of his people. This psalm speaks of God as the protector and deliverer. These are comforting words for the believer.
Matthew Henry wrote:”all those who live a life of communion with God are constantly safe under his protection, and may therefore preserve a holy serenity and security of mind at all times.”
Those will dwell with God will find him to be a safe place. These word shelter conveys the idea of a hidden place. The KJV translates it as “the secret place”. Remember Corrie ten Boom’s book “The Hiding Place”? It was named that because her family created a hidden compartment in their home to hide Jews from the Nazis.
The psalmist speaks of God as our shelter, shadow, refuge, and fortress. Those are four metaphors for safety and protection. Therefore, God is the one we can trust with our lives and our souls when we dwell or abide in him. (2)
There are also four different names for God in these verses: the Most High, the Almighty, YHWH (the LORD) and my God. Those names tell us about the attributes of God that show he is willing and able to protect us.
The words Most High (Elyon) means he has authority over all, that he is sovereign.
The word Almighty (Shaddai) means he is infinite in power, strong enough to save and protect us.
The word LORD (Yahweh), his covenant name, shows his covenant care for his people.
The word God (Elohim) emphasizes God as creator of heaven and earth who can help with everything.
Since God is the most exalted one and the most powerful one, he can provide safety to his people.
God Our Deliverer
91:3-8
God protects his people in different situations. He protects them from unseen dangers. The snare of the fowler is likely a metaphor for someone who sets a trap or plots against those who believe in God. A fowler is one who hunts and kills birds.
He delivers from pestilence he sends as judgment, as when he brought boils on the Egyptians but spared the Israelites. (Exodus 9:8-12)
God provides shelter as a mother bird does with her babies. Pinions are the ends of the wings of a bird. (4)
God is faithful, and his faithfulness we can uses as armor against attack such as a soldier would use in battle.
A buckler is a small shield used in close combat.
We do not have to fear. (5) Fear and trust are opposites!
So, as many fall under God’s judgment, his people will see their recompense (payback or justice) but not experience it. (8)
God Sends Angels To Help His People
91:9-13
God does some of his work through angels. He commands them to guard his people and to lift them up. For example, when the Syrian army came to attack and kill the prophet Elisha, God sent a great host of fiery chariots and horses to protect him. (2 Kings 6)
Angels rescued Lot and his family before the Lord destroyed Sodom. (Genesis 19)
An angel rescued the apostle Peter from prison, as God answered the prayers of the church. (Acts 12)
Hebrews 1:13-14 tell us that angels are ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of believers.
The Lord Speaks
91:14-16
The Lord speaks directly in these verses. He says what he will do for the one who dwells and abides in him, the one who holds fast to him.
He will do the following:
- deliver
- protect
- answer
- be with
- rescue
- honor
- satisfy
- save.
Takeaways
Stay close to God in prayer and Bible reading: dwell with him.
Trust God to help you as this psalmist did.
Live in peace knowing you are secure in the care of a loving Heavenly Father and his Son who saved us into eternal safety and peace.
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