Psalm 91 (06/03/25)

Psalm 91(06/03/25)

Psalm 91:7-10

Good morning, my FATHER GOD. Good morning, my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. Good morning, HOLY SPIRIT—my Comforter, my Counselor, my ever-present Helper.

Each day—whether spoken aloud, woven into my actions, displayed in my body, or breathed in the quiet chambers of my soul and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23)—I praise and honor YOU, my GOD.

When the disciples asked JESUS how to pray, HE began with holy reverence, teaching them to approach YOU as FATHER and to hallow YOUR NAME: “Our FATHER in Heaven, hallowed (kept HOLY) be YOUR NAME” (Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2).

And so, before I lift my voice in worship, I pause with intention—quieting the noise within, setting aside every distraction—whether trials or pleasures (Psalm 55:17)—and turning my focus away from the worries and situations that swirl around me, I come before YOU and enter YOUR presence with reverence and stillness.

Let’s start at the beginning.  When studying about the Bible, I like to explore the historical context of Scriptures.  What was going on when this Scripture was written?  Who wrote this Scripture and Why?  Even though these are my questions for my FATHER GOD, it does not mean they will always be answered.  And, sometimes we have questions about the Bible or GOD and the Bible, which is the WORD of GOD remains silence.  When the Bible remains silent, we should remain silent.  Or We can say to ourselves and others simply, “I do not know”. 

What do we know; What must we, as believers, stand on:

“16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),

17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

We must be obedient and stand on GOD’s WORD in Faith even when we face the world’s and life’s impossibilities.

Psalm 91 is a powerful expression of confidence in God's protection and care for those who trust in Him. The psalm is structured in three parts, each offering promises of divine refuge.

First, Psalm 91 uses a lot of imagery, poetry, and metaphors.

A metaphor helps you understand one thing by comparing it to something very different—but in a creative way. It’s like using your imagination to say:

"This reminds me of that."

The Three Promises given in Three Part of Psalm 91

PROMISE # 1:

Psalm 91:1-3 Our responsibility:  We must dwell with GOD first.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High…”

This is a word picture pointing to the tabernacle, the sacred tent God told Moses to build in the wilderness. Inside the tabernacle was a hidden room called the Most Holy Place—a place no one could enter except the high priest, once a year, because it symbolized God's holy presence.

So when the psalm says “secret place,” it's not just a hiding spot—it’s a picture of the deep closeness and safety of being with God, like being in the very center of where He dwells.

1. “Secret place of the Most High”

This is a metaphor for God’s presence, a special and safe space that isn’t visible or physical—but it's real.

It’s like having a quiet, hidden shelter in your soul where you go to be close to God, away from the noise and danger of the world.

2. “Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”

This paints a picture of being under God’s protection, like standing in the shade of something strong and close.

A shadow means God is near. Just like a child stays in the shadow of a loving parent, we stay close to God for safety and peace.

3. “Refuge” and “Fortress”

These words describe God as a safe place, like a strong building that keeps you safe during a storm or an enemy attack.

It’s saying: “When life is hard or scary, I can run to God. He will protect me like a strong wall around me.”

4. “Snare of the fowler”

A fowler is someone who sets traps to catch birds. This metaphor means hidden dangers or traps the enemy sets for you.

God promises to rescue you from things meant to catch you off guard or bring you harm.

What is this holy secret place?

It is not only a place of protection and refuge from life’s troubles.

It is also a place of comfort when your heart is weary.

A place of communion where you meet with God in the stillness.

A place of contemplation, where you reflect on His Word and hear His voice.

And a place of divine companionship, where you are never alone—because the Almighty is near.

Think of the secret hiding places we enjoyed as children.  God has a secret hiding place, and He invites each of us to join Him there.

Are we just to be a visitor? NO.  GOD invites, us believers, to change our spiritual address.  God invites us to pack up and move to His secret place. He want us to permanently live there.

But, We must learn to set aside a special time day or night to commune and be with GOD. 

We must surrender all distractions and turn our focus—not our burdens, but to HIS presence—even when those distractions come wrapped in familiar or unfamiliar voices, urgent needs, or the weight of expectations—whether placed on us by others, or quietly imposed by ourselves.

Some expectations are placed upon us, while others we carry quietly—driven by our own desire to meet the world’s standards or earn someone’s approval

We, believers, must remember what Paul wrote to the church of Corinth:  Comparing Yourself with others is not WISE. (6/03/25)

12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

We must be transparent and honest with GOD.  He knew us before we were born.  He knows everything about us.  There are no secret sins.  GOD know them all.

JESUS, YOU said that everything hidden will eventually be brought into the open and every secret will be brought to light (Mark 4:22). We know that even our secret sins are spread out before YOU and YOU see them all (Psalm 90:8; I John 1:9).  JESUS said, “For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all” (Matthew 10:26; Luke 12:2); “Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!” (Luke 12:3). YOUR WORD says,

FATHER GOD, Nothing in all creation is hidden from YOU. Everything is naked and exposed before YOUR eyes, and we are accountable to YOU (Hebrews 4:13).

We cannot join God in His secret place unless we are willing to be transparent and honest with Him.

Psalm 91:4 says, “Then He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge…”

This is the image of a bird—like a mother bird—spreading her wings over her young to protect them from danger, rain, or predators.

“Pinions” are the outer feathers on a bird’s wing, the strong ones used for flying—but also for sheltering.

So when God “covers you with His pinions,” it means He pulls you close and shields you like a loving parent—gentle, strong, and watchful.

Just like baby birds feel safe and warm under their mother’s wings, you can trust God to protect, cover, and hold you close when life feels uncertain.

Then the verse says:

“His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.”

A shield is for blocking big attacks.

A buckler is a smaller, round shield worn close to the body for quick defense.

This means God’s promises and faithfulness will protect you from all sides—whether the danger is big and obvious or sudden and unexpected.

In short:

This verse uses word pictures to say:

God is like a mother bird who shelters you with love, and like a warrior who surrounds you with truth and strength. You are not exposed. You are not forgotten. You are covered—completely.

Satan twists Psalm 91:11 in Matthew 4:7 and Luke 4:12.

Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

    ‘He will order his angels to protect you.

    And they will hold you up with their hands

      so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ”

Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Mt 4:5–6.

But, JESUS rebukes him and says Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’ (Matthew 4:7). But, Jesus was quoting the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:16).

Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Mt 4:7.

Psalm 91:5-8 When you live under God’s covering, you don’t have to be afraid—day or night.

Not of the terror that comes in the dark, when everything feels uncertain.

Not of the arrows that fly by day—the attacks, threats, or bad news that come out of nowhere.

Not of the diseases that spread in the darkness, or the destruction that strikes when no one expects it.

Even when thousands fall beside you, and even more around you, you are not alone and you are not forgotten.

God’s protection will hold you steady.

You’ll see the consequences that come to those who reject God’s ways,

but you will be a witness—not a victim—because the Lord is your shield.

The godly should not be afraid, because the Lord watches over them. These promises do not guarantee an escape from trouble, but they create an expectation of the Lord’s goodness.

New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Ps 91:5–8.

PROMISE # 2:  GOD sends his protective Angels

Scriptures bring us back to our responsibility.  Again, We must first dwell with GOD. 

Psalm 91:9–13 – Expanded Summary (Simple but Rich):

Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—

because you’ve chosen to stay close to Him and trust in His presence—

no true harm will overtake you.

Disaster may shake the world around you,

but God’s hand will hold you steady.

He will even send His angels to guard you,

to keep you safe in all your ways.

They will lift you up—so gently and carefully—

so that you won’t even trip over a stone.

With God’s strength, you will walk boldly through danger.

You will tread on lions and snakes—symbols of deadly threats—

but they will not overcome you.

God’s power in you is greater than the danger around you.

PROMISE # 3:  Eight Blessings and Eight Verbs of Protection

Psalm 91:14–16 – Expanded Summary (Simple but Rich):

God Himself speaks in these final verses—

a personal promise to the one who loves and trusts Him.

“Because you love Me,” says the Lord,

“I will rescue you.

Because you know My name—because you trust who I am—

I will protect you.”

When you call on Him, He will answer.

He won’t ignore your cry or leave you in trouble.

Instead, He says, “I will be with you in trouble.

I will rescue you, and I will honor you.”

And not only that—He promises a full life.

“With long life I will satisfy you,” He declares,

“and I will show you My salvation”—

My help, My deliverance, and My eternal goodness.