Reflections on Psalm 91

Reflections on Psalm 91

Psalm 91 is a famous psalm that many of us have been quoting since the start of the pandemic as God’s promise of protection.  This was yesterday morning’s (June 11) psalm, and let’s look at some of the verses:

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways… “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:9-11,14-16 NIV)


It is good to not only believe but to say out loud “the Lord is my refuge”.  Tell Him that you trust in Him and want to find your protection in Him.  I think He likes to hear that from us.  


A refuge is a place of safety and protection.  David used a similar word in declaring God his “hiding place” (Psalm 32:7)  Did you ever have a hiding place as a child, a place you went to when you were afraid or upset?  David had one as an adult, the Lord of all the earth–The Most High God!  How amazing that our Lord who is so awesome and above all and who spoke the world into existence, is willing to allow us to come to Him as our heavenly Father and to hide ourselves in Him.  I want us to appreciate how fortunate we are to live in the presence of the Most High God.  God is our home.


There are many blessings that flow from knowing God in this way:  no harm or disaster will come upon you (v. 10); He will command His angels to protect you (v. 11); God Himself will rescue you and protect you (v. 14); God will answer your prayer (v.15); He will be with you in trouble and deliver you (v.15); He will honor you (v.15); and He will grant you long life (v.16).  All of these benefits are simply aspects of God’s salvation. 


The Hebrew word for salvation is very close to Joshua which means God saves, and it is the name of our Lord Jesus, which is the Greek translation of Joshua.  Psalm 91 is a prophetic description of what has come to us by the grace of Jesus who declared, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me” (John 5:39, NASB).


God has revealed to you and me His salvation, Jesus His Son.  Let’s draw near to Him and declare Him to be our refuge and hiding place.  There is no better place to be in the whole universe!


Father, we come to you gladly through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Thank you for sending your Son to be our salvation.  Thank you for being so humble that though You are the Most High you gladly live with us.  Today we declare that You are our refuge and that we choose to hide ourselves in You.  We are a blessed people.  Hallelujah!