Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
For he 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.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

• Psalm 91:1-16

Type of Psalm

Didactic psalms: These psalms are psalms that are intended to teach.  In most cases the psalm instructs us in moral principles.

Psalms of thanksgiving for God’s goodness to good people:  Giving God thanks as noted.

Matthew Henry’s Summary

“Some of the ancients were of opinion that Moses was the penman, not only of the foregoing psalm, which is expressly said to be his, but also of the eight that next follow it; but that cannot be, for Ps. 95:1-11 is expressly said to be penned by David, and long after Moses, Heb. 4:7. It is probable that this psalm also was penned by David; it is a writ of protection for all true believers, not in the name of king David, or under his broad seal; he needed it himself, especially if the psalm was penned, as some conjecture it was, at the time of the pestilence which was sent for his numbering the people; but in the name of the King of kings, and under the broad seal of Heaven. Observe, I. The psalmist’s own resolution to take God for his keeper (ver. 2), from which he gives both direction and encouragement to others, ver. 9. II. The promises which are here made, in God’s name, to all those that do so in sincerity. 1. They shall be taken under the peculiar care of Heaven, ver. 1, 4. 2. They shall be delivered from the malice of the powers of darkness (ver. 3, 5, 6), and that by a distinguishing preservation, ver. 7, 8. 3. They shall be the charge of the holy angels, ver. 10-12. 4. They shall triumph over their enemies, ver. 13. 5. They shall be the special favourites of God himself, ver. 14-16. In singing this we must shelter ourselves under, and then solace ourselves in, the divine protection. Many think that to Christ, as Mediator, these promises do primarily belong (Isa. 49:2), not because to him the devil applied one of these promises (Matt. 4:6), but because to him they are very applicable, and, coming through him, they are more sweet and sure to all believers.”

• Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Psalm 91:1-2 “Take from us our wealth and we are hindered. Take from us our health and we are handicapped. Take our purpose and we are slowed, temporarily confused. But take away our hope and we are plunged into deepest darkness … stopped dead in our tracks, paralyzed. Wondering, ‘Why?’ Asking, ‘How much longer? Will this darkness ever end? Does God know where I am?’
“Then the Father says, ‘That’s far enough,’ and how sweet it is! Hope revives and washes over us.
“Through it all.  That’s the ticket.  Through the victories and the failures. … Through the brilliant days of accomplishment and the broken days … Through the heady days of laughter and success and those nameless intervals of setback and despair.  Through it all, God is with us, leading us, teaching us, humbling us, preparing us.”

• Charles R. Swindoll, Bedtime Blessings (October 21 and December 17)

My Thoughts

There is a lot in Psalm 91 to unpack.

We take refuge in God.  Trusting God rather than our own devices is part of that.  Going to God in prayer in everything is another part of it.  Surrounding ourselves with God-fearing believers is yet another part of it.

The psalmist speaks of protecting us from the fowler’s snare.  Then the psalmist carries that metaphor through.  As the pastor said, “He is not saying that God is a chicken.”  But the metaphor of the fowler’s snare fits with the mother hen protecting her young under her wing.  God protects us as many mother’s in nature protect their own.

Then we hear that angels will protect us.  Angels are God’s messengers, but they can be mustered into an army to go to battle.  Yet, verse twelve was quoted by Satan to tempt Jesus.  We should do as the theme of this song states, seek God’s refuge, rather than finding how far will God go to keep us from stumbling into trouble.  Note that once Jesus had withstood Satan’s temptations, angels came to minister to Jesus.

God does not perform a parlor trick so that we will believe.  Belief and Certainty are two different things.  God fills us with His power and understanding only after we have surrendered to Him.  And if Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness is a model for our lives, the angels do not come to sooth our wounds until we have pressed through and avoided the temptations of this world.  They are there, but God often tests our faith.  So, you may stub your toe on a rock at times.

When we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, God will indeed come to our rescue.

Psalm 92

It is good to praise the Lord
    and make music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
    and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
    and the melody of the harp.
For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;
    I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
How great are your works, Lord,
    how profound your thoughts!
Senseless people do not know,
    fools do not understand,
that though the wicked spring up like grass
    and all evildoers flourish,
    they will be destroyed forever.
But you, Lord, are forever exalted.
For surely your enemies, Lord,
    surely your enemies will perish;
    all evildoers will be scattered.
You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox;
    fine oils have been poured on me.
My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
    my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
    he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

• Psalm 92:1-15

Type of Psalm

Didactic psalms: These psalms are psalms that are intended to teach.  In most cases the psalm instructs us in moral principles.

Matthew Henry’s Summary

“It is a groundless opinion of some of the Jewish writers (who are usually free of their conjectures) that this psalm was penned and sung by Adam in innocency, on the first sabbath. It is inconsistent with the psalm itself, which speaks of the workers of iniquity, when as yet sin had not entered. It is probable that it was penned by David, and, being calculated for the sabbath day, I. Praise, the business of the sabbath, is here recommended, ver. 1-3. II. God’s works, which gave occasion for the sabbath, are here celebrated as great and unsearchable in general, ver. 4-6. In particular, with reference to the works both of providence and redemption, the psalmist sings unto God both of mercy and judgment, the ruin of sinners and the joy of saints, three times counterchanged. 1. The wicked shall perish (ver. 7), but God is eternal, ver. 8. 2. God’s enemies shall be cut off, but David shall be exalted, ver. 9-10. 3. David’s enemies shall be confounded (ver. 11), but all the righteous shall be fruitful and flourishing, ver. 12-15. In singing this psalm we must take pleasure in giving to God the glory due to his name, and triumph in his works.”

• Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Psalm 92:2 ” ‘To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning.’ There is a peculiar freshness and charm about early morning praises; the day is loveliest when it first opens its eyelids, and God Himself seems then to make distribution of the day’s manna, which tastes most sweetly if gathered before the sun is hot. It seems most appropriate that if our hearts and harps have been silent through the shades of night, we should be eager again to take our place among the chosen choir who ceaselessly hymn the Eternal One. ‘And Your faithfulness every night.’ No hour is too late for praise, and the end of the day must not be the end of gratitude. When nature seems in silent contemplation to adore its Maker, it ill becomes the children of God to restrain their thanksgiving. Evening is the time for retrospect: memory is busy with the experience of the day, hence the appropriate theme for song is the divine faithfulness of which another day has furnished fresh evidences. When darkness has settled down over all things, then there comes over wise people a congenial, meditative spirit, and it is most fitting that they should take an expanded view of the truth and goodness of Jehovah.”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon and the Psalms

My Thoughts

In the last psalm, we are told to go to God for our refuge.  And once we are there, what do we do?  We praise God.  We thank God.  We worship God.

And in verse six, the psalmist speaks of the conundrum mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the first chapters of 1 Corinthians, that to an unbeliever, the things of God are foolishness.  Here, the psalmist speaks of them being senseless.  Indeed, for those willing to trust God in everything, our senses see God in everything.  But the senseless and the fool do not see what we see.  Again, that understanding comes after we surrender to God.

But God will raise up those that love Him, and the wicked will perish.

The psalm ends with a different metaphor.  If we are planted in God’s love, fully rooted in Him, we will become like a strong palm tree or a giant cedar of Lebanon.  And we will trust in the ground where we are planted for God is the Rock of our salvation.

Psalm 93

The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;
    the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
    indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
Your throne was established long ago;
    you are from all eternity.
The seas have lifted up, Lord,
    the seas have lifted up their voice;
    the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
    mightier than the breakers of the sea—
    the Lord on high is mighty.
Your statutes, Lord, stand firm;
    holiness adorns your house
    for endless days.

• Psalm 93:1-5

Type of Psalm

Psalms of praise: Exactly as stated.  God is being praised.

Matthew Henry’s Summary

“This short psalm sets forth the honour of the kingdom of God among men, to his glory, the terror of his enemies, and the comfort of all his loving subjects. It relates both to the kingdom of his providence, by which he upholds and governs the world, and especially to the kingdom of his grace, by which he secures the church, sanctifies and preserves it. The administration of both these kingdoms is put into the hands of the Messiah, and to him, doubtless, the prophet here hears witness, and to his kingdom, speaking of it as present, because sure; and because, as the eternal Word, even before his incarnation he was Lord of all. Concerning God’s kingdom glorious things are here spoken. I. Have other kings their royal robes? So has he, ver. 1. II. Have they their thrones? So has he, ver. 2. III. Have they their enemies whom they subdue and triumph over? So has he, ver. 3, 4. IV. Is it their honour to be faithful and holy? So it is his, ver. 5. In singing this psalm we forget ourselves if we forget Christ, to whom the Father has given all power both in heaven and in earth.”

• Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Psalm 93:1-2 “ ‘He is clothed with majesty.’ May the Lord appear in His church in our day in manifest majesty and might, saving sinners, slaying errors, and honoring His own name. O for a day of the Son of Man, in which the King immortal and almighty shall stand upon His glorious high throne to be feared in the great congregation and admired by all those who believe. ‘The LORD is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength.’ As people prepare for running or working, so the Lord appears in the eyes of His people to be preparing for action, girded with His omnipotence. Strength always dwells in the Lord Jehovah, but He hides His power full often until, in answer to His children’s cries, He puts on strength, assumes the throne, and defends His own. It should be a constant theme for prayer that in our day the reign of the Lord may be conspicuous and His power displayed in His church and on her behalf. ‘Your kingdom come’ should be our daily prayer; that the Lord Jesus does actually reign should be our daily praise.”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon and the Psalms

My Thoughts

I love it when the commentaries are longer than the psalm that they are meant to comment upon.

This short psalm of praise has two metaphors.  First, God is robed in majesty.  God is a spirit.  He does not have a body.  He has no need for clothing, but when His glory is manifested and we are in His glorious presence, His majesty itself will more than fill the room.

And the psalmist must have gone to the Mediterranean Sea to write this, possibly during a storm, or as the storm was brewing offshore.  For the breakers were strong enough to sound like thunder.  There are recordings of the gentle waves trickling onto shore and then receding.  These recordings are used to produce calm and help people relax.  Late in the evening, after the children have finished their play in the shallow waters, it is nice to relax on the seashore.

But this scene, and the sounds that go with it show God in His majesty and power.

God’s Law is timeless as God is unchanging and timeless.

God is without sin and His holiness will endure forever.

And I guess I did it too.  I took more words to speak of the glories of God than did the psalmist.

Some Serendipitous Reflections

Psalm 91

“1. If God promises such perfect protection, why does evil befall believers? Didn’t it befall Jesus? The Apostles? The early church? Why does this psalm follow Moses’ ‘we finish our years with a moan’ (see Ps 90)?
“2. What does it mean to make God your refuge?
“3. Think about all the potential for harm in your life. Could angels be guarding you? Can you think of an instance when you were miraculously delivered or protected ‘against all odds’? What did you learn from this?
“4. Is God calling you to take some risks? How can you avail yourself of God’s protection?”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

Psalm 92

“1. Which of God’s ‘deeds’ brings you joy? How do you express spiritual joy?
“2. Do Sundays help you grow spiritually? If so, how? If not, what is lacking for you?
“3. How can you stay ‘fresh and green’ as the years go by? What ‘fruit’ can you bear?
“4. Does the prosperity of the wicked bother you? Do you want what they have? What do you have that they might envy?”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

Psalm 93

“1. What is most important to you: might or right? Do you believe because you gain power or because you seek truth? Both? Neither?
“2. Is it sometimes hard to believe that God controls nature and history? What does this belief imply? What might obscure it?”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

There is one set of questions for each of these psalms.

Substitute whatever group for any reference to a small group or ask who could come to your aid.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.