“Psalm 91: The Song Of Great Safety” (part 2)

In a fear-filled, dangerous world, people long for safety and security—precisely what is described in Psalm 91. On Monday, we saw that the first element of that safety is seen in deep, spiritual confidence. Today, we see that this confidence is not only personal, it is a…

Shared Confidence (vv.3-13)

Now the psalmist wants to challenge us to believe and trust in that same El Shaddai that he has trusted. He spells out how this works for us in our lives. Notice that the “you” is singular throughout, making this a personal reality that can be a blessing to each of us.

His Protection (vv.3-8)-

• God’s Sufficiency (vv.3-4)- Most of these dangers are the kind that strike unseen. Some speak of terrors that would overtake and destroy, some of fears that ravage the emotions, some of dangers that can overtake the body. Yet, the constant thread through them all is that God is seen as sufficient for all of them! Notice he speaks of…

“The snare of the trapper”- which is a reference to our spiritual enemy, who seeks to ensnare us! Remember (1 John 4:4), our Fortress is greater and is able to deliver us from the enemy.

“The deadly pestilence”- this seems to speak of an undefined trouble that would befall many, but we can take refuge in Him (v.4) and the safety of His wings. It is the imagery of a mother bird covering her chicks to protect them from the power of the storm. What a graphic picture of God’s care for us!

At the same time, God’s protection has the strength of armor (“shield and bulwark”). His protection is steel and velvet, and we need both.

• God’s Protection (vv.5-6)- See the extent of it-

His care endures (“day/night”- v.5)

His care encompasses danger (“terror/arrow”- v.5)- Night terror may speak of robbers or warfare.

His care responds to both pestilence and destruction (v.6)- Pestilence is a poetic image of the grim reaper that walks in the darkness looking for victims, but destruction is even stronger. It was translated in the Septuagint with “diamonos”- the word for demons!

• God’s Authority (vv.7-8)- while those around us fall to the perils of vv.5,6, we are safe and protected. This promise was graphically etched into Israelite memories on the bloody night of the first Passover. That night, the Hebrews that obeyed God were found to be under His protection. The “recompense of the wicked” (v.8) was obvious to all, but they were safe. I would suggest that this promise is not a good luck charm against problems, but is instead descriptive of the minute detail of God’s sovereign care. It assures us, like Romans 8:28, that nothing can touch us apart from His purposes. It is under His authority!

His Plan (vv.9-13)

• The Promise of Safety (vv.9-10)- This is a strong statement, and must be carefully examined. The question is, “Is this a blanket guarantee for a painless life?” The obvious answer has to be NO—for that is the only answer that reconciles with the remainder of the Word of God. This perhaps could be viewed the same way as the law of retribution that always works ultimately, does not always appear to work temporally. It reflects the overriding care seen in the eternal purposes of God—revealing ultimate deliverance, but not continual escape from temporal pain. The point? We can trust Him with now, for we have trusted Him with forever.

• The Reality of Pain (vv.11-13)- If this is intended to be an airtight guarantee, and angels are the agents of it (as some commentators say), then it would seem that they are doing a fairly poor job. The fact is that believers are dashed as well as the lost—we suffer greatly, and sometimes, constantly. The dangers and pains of life do not disappear with conversion. The main ingredient here, I think, is v.13—we are not mere survivors, but victors. Our enemies (great and dangerous though they may be) are underfoot! Satan sought to use the promise of v.11 as a temptation to Christ, but our Lord’s response reminds us that there is no blanket unconditional promise from God that we will never have suffering. In the suffering, we are to trust God (not angels) for He is in control, and He is our Protector!

Friday we will see a final element of the confidence that is integral to the great safety of our God.