(Psalm 91:1-8)…..He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.
Bible scholar’s aren’t certain of the time and circumstances of this Psalm’s writing. For some, David is considered the author of this Psalm due to (2 Samuel 24:13-15). Others ascribe this Psalm to Moses due to the resemblance of (Deuteronomy 32:1-52) (33:1-29). It even has a similar resemblance to what Eliphaz the Temanite declared in (Job 15:17-23). No matter who wrote it, the psalmist wrote it to assure Israel that the LORD would keep them safe through all trials if they put their trust in him and lived according to His will. Such a Psalm would have served Israel well during David’s reign, when they were surrounded by many enemies. It would have also served them well during the forty years in the wilderness as Moses lead them. This Psalm could serve in many of the trials Israel went through its history, but the subject (content) is the security of the one(s) who thoroughly trust in God. It is still timely today, even in a personal way where so many are relying on the government to keep them safe and healthy, and not God. How is it that we just can’t believe God and His promises. Where is our faith? I do believe that as the days go by times will become harder and harder. Where will we find our faith then? Do I (you) (we) trust God?
This Psalm is written to be read (sung) in an “Antiphonal Arrangement” – Now what is that? In this case it is read (sung) with three people…….
- The 1st speaker reads (sings) – (vs. 1-2)
- The 2nd speaker responds back by reading (singing) – (vs. 3-4)
- The 1st speaker responds back by reading (singing) – (vs. 5-8)
- The 2nd speaker responds back by reading (singing) – (vs. 9-13)
- In conclusion – the 3rd speaker responds as the mouth of Jehovah – declaring the blessings which God Himself will bestow on those who are faithful – (vs. 14-16)
We are faced globaly with wars and rumors of wars, plagues and pestilence, enemies equipped with lethal weapons, tyrants and corrupt politicians, a world changing towards God, hating Him even more day by day, a culture so rapidly running to sin that it can be scary. Individually we are faced with financial challenges, employment challenges, marriage issues, family problems, addictions, illnesses, death, etc. If we are to keep our equilibrium in such circumstances we need the assurance that God is with us, that God loves us, that He is committed to helping us, and that God will redeem even our darkest day. We have that assurance in Jesus Christ. Thank Him.