THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY

PSALM 91


      Kyle M. Yates wrote, “When one tries to deal with the ninety-first Psalm, he is conscious of the fact that the less he says the better it will be.” Endnote


      Moses, who wrote Psalm 90, likely wrote this Psalm also.


  I. Covering (91:1-4)


 1. He that dwelleth 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 will I trust.

 3. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence.

 4. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler.


      A. Place of covering (1)


(BBE). Happy is he whose resting-place is in the secret of the Lord, and under the shade of the wings of the Most High;


      Spurgeon said, “The blessings here promised are not for all believers, but for those who live in close fellowship with God. Every child of God looks towards the inner sanctuary and the mercy-seat, yet all do not dwell in the most holy place; they run to it at times, and enjoy occasional approaches, but they do not habitually reside in the mysterious presence.” Endnote


      The Psalmist referred to the place under the shadow of the cherubim’s wings within the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle.


Ex. 25:20. And the cherubims shall stretch forth [their] wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces [shall look] one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.


          1. Secret (Ps. 32:7)


Ps. 27:5 [NIV]. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.


          2. Shadow


      The term “abide” meant to stop over or pass the night.


Ps 55:6-8 [NIV]. I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”


      Duncan said, “It is a quiet retreat from a pursuing enemy. And there are trials, and temptations, and enemies, from which the Christian does best to fly. He cannot resist them. They are too strong for him. His wisdom is to fly into the refuge of the secret place of his God–to rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Endnote


Ps 121:5. [NIV]. The LORD watches over you--the LORD is your shade at your right hand;


      B. Profession of covering (2)


(MSG). Say this: “GOD, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!”


      Spurgeon said, “Those who believe should also speak– ‘I will say’, for such bold avowals honor God and lead others to seek the same confidence. . . . Hence it becomes the duty of all true believers to speak out and testify with calm courage to their own well grounded reliance upon their God.” Endnote


          1. Safety (refuge–91:2-9, shelter from danger)


Ps 46:1 [NIV]. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.


Ps 18:2 [NIV]. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.


          2. Salvation (trust, be confident)


Ps. 56:3 [NIV]. When I am afraid, I will trust in you.


      C. Protection of covering (3; Ps. 34:19)


(CEV). The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases.


          1. Trap (Jos. 23:13; Amos 3:5; unawares)


          2. Trial (Ps. 91:3-6)


      D. Promises of covering (4; Ex. 25:20; block, overshadow, stop)


(Brenton). He shall overshadow thee with his shoulders, and thou shalt trust under his wings: his truth shall cover thee with a shield.


Ex. 19:4. Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and [how] I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.


Dt. 32:11 [GNB]. Like an eagle teaching its young to fly, catching them safely on its spreading wings, the LORD kept Israel from falling.


Ps. 17:8. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,


Ps. 36:7. How excellent [is] thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.


Ps. 57:1. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until [these] calamities be overpast.


Ps. 61:4 [ESV]. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!


Ps. 63:7. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.


      Spurgeon wrote, “In the most holy place the wings of the cherubim were the most conspicuous objects, and they probably suggested to the Psalmist the expression here employed. Those who commune with God are safe with him, no evil can reach them, for the outstretched wings of his power and love cover them from all harm.” Endnote


          1. Trust (Ps. 34:8)


Ruth 2:12 [NIV]. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”


          2. Truth (Jn. 8:32)


1 Sam. 17:7 [NIV]. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.


Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and the tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.


Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.


Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.


Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.


 II. Courage (91:5-8)


 5. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day;

 6. [Nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday.

 7. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee.

 8. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.


      A. Courage against fear (5)


          1. Afraid at night (Ps. 23:4, 27:1, 46:2, 56:3; dread–Job 3:25)


      Spurgeon wrote, “Night is the congenial hour of horrors, when alarms walk abroad like beasts of prey, or ghouls from among the tombs; our fears turn the sweet season of repose into one of dread, and though angels are abroad and fill our chambers, we dream of demons and dire visitants from hell.” Endnote


          2. Arrow by day (Eph. 6:16)


      In the classic Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, Apollyon said to Christian, “Prepare thyself to die, for I swear by my infernal den, that thou shalt go no further, here will I spill thy soul. . . .” Bunyan continued, “And with that, he threw a flaming dart at his breast, but Christian had a shield in his hand, with which he caught it, and so prevented the danger of that.” Endnote John H. Yates wrote,

“Encamped along the hills of light,

   Ye Christian soldiers rise,

And press the battle ere the night

   shall veil the glowing skies;

Against the foe in vales below,

   let all our strength be hurled;

Faith is the victory, we know,

   that overcomes the world.” Endnote


      B. Courage against foes (6)


          1. Disease in the night (Ps. 91:3-6)


          2. Destruction at the noonday (ruin, devastate)


      Moses knew first-hand the protection of the Lord over the redeemed from the death pestilence.


      Billy Graham wrote, “The Reverend John G. Paton, a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands, tells a thrilling story involving the protective care of angels. Hostile natives surrounded his mission headquarters one night, intent on burning the Patons out and killing them. John Paton and his wife prayed all during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see the attackers unaccountably leave. They thanked God for delivering them. A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Jesus Christ, and Mr. Paton, remembering what had happened, asked the chief what had kept him and his men from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, ‘Who were all those men you had with you there?’ The missionary answered, ‘There were no men there; just my wife and I.’ The chief argued that they had seen many men standing guard–hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords in their hands. They seemed to circle the mission station so that the natives were afraid to attack. Only then did Mr. Paton realize that God had sent His angels to protect them.” Endnote


      C. Courage against falling (7)


          1. Thousand at the side (Jos. 23:13)


          2. Ten thousand at the hand (Ps. 16:8; Is. 41:13; Zech. 3:1)


      Moses sang the song of the redeemed over the thousands of enemies of the Lord (Ex. 15:4).


      George Washington took part in the French and Indian War at the age of twenty-three. In one particular battle Washington’s life hung in the balance for two hours. The general assigned Washington to take orders to the officers in the field. The Indian sharpshooters caused sixty-three of the eighty-six officers to become casualties. After the battle George Washington recounted that four bullets went through his coat, the Indians shot two horses from under him, but he escaped hurt though companions fell on every side. Fifteen years later the Indian chief in charge of that battle met Washington. The chief recounted that a “power mightier than we shielded you. Seeing you were under the special guardianship of the Great Spirit, we immediately ceased fire at you. . . the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle.” Endnote


      D. Courage against future (8)


          1. See the evil (Ps. 94:9)


      Delitzsch wrote, “Only a spectator shalt thou be, and that with thine own eyes, being they self inaccessible and left to survive, conscious that thou thyself art a living one in contrast with those who are dying.” Endnote


          2. Behold the end (Ps. 1:6, 34:21; Is. 57:20-21)


Ps. 73:17-18. Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] understood I their end.

 18. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.


III. Cherubim (91:9-12)


 9. Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation;

 10. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

 11. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

 12. They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.


      A. Shelter (9)


          1. Haven (Ps. 46:1, 61:3, 62:7-8, 91:2-9, 94:22, 142:5; refuge, shelter from rain or storm, from danger; Most High–Gen. 14:18; Ps. 7:17, 46:4, 78:35, 91:1-9)


          2. Home (2 Chr. 30:27; Ps. 26:8, 90:1; dwelling, habitation, refuge)


      Moses learned through experience to call the Lord his home and not any earthly house. God could not use Moses until He made him a stranger in Midian. Moses led the church in the wilderness and only saw the promised land afar off. The Lord is to be our dwelling place (Ps. 90:1). Moses hid in the cleft of the rock.


Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A shelter in the time of storm.


      B. Savior (10)


          1. Shield (evil befall–Prov. 12:21; plague–Lev. 13:45; Prov. 6:33; Is. 53:8; stroke, plague, disease, mark)


          2. Security (dwelling–Ps. 27:5, 61:4; Prov. 14:11; Is. 54:2)


      Moses also learned that the Lord rewarded faithfulness. The death angel passed by Moses’ house. The plague came upon Moses’ sister and nephews but not to his house (Lev. 10:1; Num. 12:10).


      William Bridge commented, “This promise of protection and deliverance is not made to a believer as a believer, but as acting and exercising faith; for though a man be a believer, if he do not act and exercise his faith, this promise will not reach him. . . .” Endnote


      Jesus can speak peace to any raging storm for those with faith to ask. He will make up a hedge for the household of faith.


      C. Servants (11)


          1. Oversee


          2. Overshadow (keep–Ps. 34:20, 121:5-7-8, 140:4)


      Moses knew much about the protection of God’s Angel (Ex. 14:19, 23:20). Angels guarded Moses as long as he walked in God’s ways (Ps. 103:7, 21).


      The angelic host of heaven (Dan. 7:10) looks with interest upon the salvation of the saints (Lk. 15:7; 1 Pet. 1:12). Angels ministered to Christ (Mt. 4:11; Lk. 22:43) and also minister to the saints (1 Kg. 19:5; Ps. 34:7; Dan. 6:22). Angels minister as subject unto Christ (Eph. 1:21; 1 Pet. 3:22) and His will (Mt. 6:10; Acts 12:2).

      William Bridge wrote, “The angels do you many a kindness, and never look for thanks from you, they do many a kindness that you are not aware of: why are you delivered sometimes you know not how?” Endnote


      D. Scripture (12)


          1. Rescue (angels bear–Is. 63:9)


              a. Hands (Prov. 3:23; strike, smite)


              b. Foot (Jos. 4:9)


          2. Risk (ways–Prov. 3:6)


      Satan misquoted this Scripture (Gen. 3:1) to Jesus in the temptation in the wilderness (Ps. 91:11– en pasaiV taiV odoiV sou). Satan believes Scripture (Jas. 2:19), but Scripture cannot be twisted to tempt God.


      Gilpin wrote, “The care of his subtlety herein, lay in the misrepresentation and abuse of it, as may be seen in these particulars: In that he urged this promise to promote a sinful thing, contrary to the general end of all Scripture, which was therefore written ‘that we sin not.’ But more especially in his clipping and mutilating of it. He industriously leaves out that part of it which doth limit and confine the promise of protection to lawful undertakings, such as this was not, and renders it as a general promise of absolute safety, be the action what it will.” Endnote


      Spurgeon said, “It is not the way of the believer to go out of his way. He keeps in the way, and then the angels keep him.” Endnote


      Once, the Father kept back these powerful angels because the suffering of the Son fulfilled His will (Mt. 26:53). God filters every trial through His hands of love (Rom. 8:35) and not even an angel can separate a believer from His love (Rom. 8:39).


 IV. Confidence (91:13-16)


 13. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

 14. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

 15. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.

 16. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.


      A. Authority (13)


          1. Tread (Dt. 11:24, 33:29; Jos. 1:3, 14:9)


Dt. 11:24a. Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours:


Jos. 1:3. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.


              a. Lion (Prov. 26:13)


              b. Adder (Is. 11:8)


Rom. 16:20a. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.


          2. Trample (Is. 63:3)


              a. Young lion (Ps. 34:10, 58:6, 104:21; Is. 11:6)


              b. Dragon (Ex. 7:12)


      Augustine noted, “Lion, for overt wrath; dragon for covert lurking.” Endnote


Lk. 10:19. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.


      Spurgeon said, “Their feet come into contact with the worst of foes, even Satan himself nibbles at their heel, but in Christ Jesus they have the assured hope of bruising Satan under their feet shortly.” Endnote


      B. Award (14)


          1. Because of seeking the Lord (Dt. 7:7; love, be attached to, long for)


      Spurgeon said, “When the heart is enamored of the Lord, all taken up with him, and intensely attached to him, the Lord will recognize the sacred flame, and preserve the man who bears it in his bosom.” Endnote


          2. Because of knowing the Lord (Ps. 9:10)


              a. Escape (Ps. 18:2; escape, save, deliver, slip away)


Ps. 18:2. The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.


              b. Elevate (Ps. 69:29; Prov. 18:10, 29:25; set securely on high)


Prov. 18:10. The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.


Prov. 29:25. The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.


      C. Advocate (15)


          1. Ask (call upon me–Jer. 33:3)


      Spurgeon said, “Not without prayer will the blessing come to the most favored, but by means of prayer they shall receive all good things.” Endnote


          2. Answer (Ps. 3:4, 118:5, 120:1; Prov. 21:13; Is. 65:24; Jer. 33:3; Jon. 2:2)


Ps. 118:5. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place.


Is. 65:24. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.


              a. Presence (Ps. 9:9, 34:6-17, 46:1; Nah. 1:7; straits, distress, trouble)


Ps. 34:6. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.


      William Dawson commented, “When they are in trouble, I will say to the angels, ‘Stand aside, I will take care of them myself.’” Endnote


Ps. 46:1. God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.


Nah. 1:7. The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.


              b. Deliverance (Ps. 34:7, 50:15; pull out, tear out, rescue, deliver, set free, take away)


Ps. 34:7. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.


              c. Abundance (Ex. 20:12; 1 Sam. 2:30; 1 Chr. 4:9; heavy, honor, abundant)


1 Sam. 2:30b. For them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.


      D. Assurance


          1. Life (Dt. 30:20; Prov. 3:2) of satisfaction (Ps. 17:15, 90:14, 103:5, 107:9; satisfied, fulfilled)


Prov. 3:2. For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.


      Spurgeon wrote, “The man described in this Psalm fills out the measure of his days, and whether he dies young or old he is quite satisfied with life, and is content to leave it.” Endnote


Ps. 90:14. O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.


         2. Look at salvation (Ex. 14:13; 2 Chr. 20:17; Ps. 98:3; Is. 52:10)


Ps. 98:3. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.


ENDNOTES