Today’s lesson comes from Psalm 91: 1-11. The book of Psalms was originally the hymn book of the Hebrew nation. This book is among the best loved and most read portions of Scripture. These songs were composed from the time of Moses to the days after the exile, and are poetic expressions of the spiritual life of the believer. The Book contains five collections of psalms compiled at different periods in Israel’s history. The five sections are as follows:
1. Book 1: Psalms 1-41 Compiled at the time of David; contains mostly Davidic psalms;
2. book 2: Psalms 42-72 Compiled mostly in the era of Solomon; contains Psalms by David and the Sons of Korah;
3. Book 3: Psalms 73-89 Probably collected during exile; contains chiefly Asaph’s psalms;
4. Book 4: Psalms 90-106 Probably collected during the exile; contains mostly anonymous psalms; and
5. Book 5: Psalms 107-150 Following the return from Exile in the time of Ezra, contains mostly anonymous psalms.
The writer of Psalm 91 expresses his confidence in God’s protective care. God will shield and protect His trusting child from all that will spiritually harm him. God has promised to deliver, exalt, answer prayer, honor and grant long life. Some believe this Psalm was written by Moses, others ascribe it to David. This Psalm reminds us of Paul’s words, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
The first section is: “Confidence Expressed.” Vv. 1, 2 There is a basic desire of the human heart for security and safety. We lock our homes at night, lock our automobiles when we leave them, and in general try to avoid dangerous situations. However, all our actions can not ultimately protect us. There is only One that can protect us, and that is God "most High," the El Elyon. He is the Supreme, Sovereign God, higher than all other beings, the Transcendent Ruler of Creation. He is the "the Almighty," El Shaddai. the All Sufficient One. He tells us to "abide under" His shadow. To "abide" is to take up lodging, to live in close fellowship and harmony with God. Verse 2 states, "I will say of the LORD," which could be translated, "I will say to the LORD." The psalmist is making a declaration, a testimony, of a settled purpose. The LORD is everything you need to be secure and happy. It is settled issue. With all the uncertainty in our world today, there is comfort in knowing that He is our Security and Protection. It is in Him that we can safely place our trust.
The second section is: Deliverance Assured." vv. 3-8 In these verses the psalmist commends God to the people, assuring them that God will be sufficient for any perils that they may face. "He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler." This speaks to any trap that Satan may set for you. Just like a trap for a bird with bait could catch the bird by surprise, Satan may try and do the same to us. However, God will deliver us from the unsuspected trap. We will be delivered from the "noisome pestilence" which may refer to a destructive plague that brings sickness and death. We are in a world filled with spiritual corruption, but if we "dwell in he secret place," the contamination of the world will have no effect upon us.
Next, the psalmist uses the figure of a bird protecting its young by gathering them under its wings. In the same way, we really can't protect ourselves from the attacks of the enemy. We need the active care of God. His "truth" (faithfulness) is our "shield and buckler." As we stay close to Him, keeping the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:10), we will be surrounded by protection. Verses 5 and 6 speak concerning the promise of safety to us when we abide under the shadow of the almighty. "The terror by night" and "the pestilence that walketh in darkness" concerns the things that occur in the night time. We need not dread the things in the night as God is with us then also. There are two things that occur in the day: "the arrow that flieth by day," and "the destruction that wasteth at noonday." God is Sovereign of both the day and the night. Nothing comes to us that does not first pass by the throne of heaven. That is a source of great comfort. What does occur to us will be for our own good. (Romans 8:28)
Those under the shadow of the Almighty will not be affected though "a thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand." Regardless of the heresies around us, or the cold backslidden preachers and churches, and those that have compromised with the world, we will be safe and secure. We shall renew our strength and not be afraid. (Isaiah 40: 31) Ultimately, we shall behold "the goodness and severity of God."
The third section is "Protection Promised." vv. 9-11 Verse 9 explains the basis of the protection: because you have made the Lord your "habitation." "Habitation" means that we are at home with the Lord. We commune with Him, delight in Him, depend on Him and abide in Him. As a result, "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh (near) thy dwelling." If you are living with God, how could any evil come near your house? "Plague" has the sense of divine displeasure. If we are abiding in Him, there would be no evidence of divine displeasure. The plague which slew the first born of Egypt did not harm the Israelites who in obedience were under the cover of the lamb's blood. In the same way, if you are under the blood of Christ, no evil or plague of divine displeasure will get to you. You will be protected. The last verse speaks of angels keeping you in all your ways. We know from several Scriptures, e.g., Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 34:7, that angels are about us to protect us. As we walk each day, we have unseen companions who are preserving us from danger. That is a comforting thought as we live in an evil world that seems to get more profane every day.
The Golden Text is: "In the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." (Psalm 57:1) There is a place of protection in this world. It is for those that abide in Christ. As we make our lives with Him, from the time we arise until the time we enter sleep, we will be safe from harm. As the bird protects its babies, so will God protect His own. The safest place to live is under His protecting wings. Plus, the angels are there to keep us.
My summary points:
1. As we trust the Lord, we will abide with Him.
2. When we abide with Him, we are protected from evil.
3. God will send His angels to help us.
Next week: "Harden Not Your Heart." Psalm 95: 1-11
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