Can you explain Psalm 91?
(I encourage you to read this entire chapter before reading this meditation.) This psalm is what we know as a Messianic psalm, meaning that its main teachings concern the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah. However, there are great and profitable applications for us. In the beginning of this psalm, we see the Lord Jesus taking His place with Israel, expressing His trust in the Lord. We know the Lord lived His life on the earth trusting completely in His Father to guide and protect Him. Let’s glean a few precious thoughts from this valuable chapter.
Psalm 91:1-2, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the MOST HIGH shall abide under the shadow of the ALMIGHTY. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my GOD; in him will I trust.” It is precious to see that in these two short verses, the Lord is known by four separate names, all indicating a different and uniquely appropriate character of our Lord.
- MOST HIGH – (Elyown)
- ALMIGHTY – (Shaddai)
- LORD – (Jehovah)
- GOD – (Elohim)
Who is he? Who is that one who dwells in the secret and safe place of the Lord. Verses 3-8 identify that One perfect servant who lived His live completely in dependence upon the Lord. We read in verse 4, “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” The Lord Jesus walked in absolute trust in the power and will of His Father. We read in John 7:1 that, “…the Jews sought to kill him.” Yet, the Lord knew His Father’s will. So, we read in John 7:8, “…my time is not yet full come.” When the time had come for Him to die, the Lord Jesus knew it, and so, “…he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8) It is applicable to the believer today when we realize that when we hide ourselves under the shadow of His wings, that we also can live our lives in complete confidence that we are in His care and that our Lord will NEVER leave or forsake us. (Read Hebrews 13:5)
Verses 9-16 speak of the absolute victory and exaltation of our blessed savior. Verse 14 says, “I will set him on high.” Hebrews 2:8 speaks of the future day of the exaltation of the Lord Jesus, “Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.” Already, He is exalted, but the day is coming when we shall indeed see ‘all things put under him.” Satan, himself, understood that this portion was in reference to the Lord. He pointed this out to Him as he tempted the Lord. We read Satan’s words in Matthew 4:6, “And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”
A cautionary note as we apply this portion to our own lives: Did you notice how that Satan misquoted Psalm 91:11 as he was trying to tempt the Lord? Psalm 91:11, “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, TO KEEP THEE IN ALL THY WAYS. It is when we walk in the Lord’s ways that we have His divine care and keeping. If we insist on walking our own ways, we will find that we will reap the consequences of our actions. May we be sure to walk in the way of the One who is THE WAY. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (223.10)