G Campbell Morgan called this Psalm “one of the greatest possessions of the saints”.  I hope you will consider it one of your greatest possessions! It has helped countless thousands live courageously for God, through war, disease, persecution and all kinds of trouble. This Psalm presents with clarity and power the magnificent benefits that belong to those who trust in God.   

PSALM 91:1 He who dwells (or the one who lives) in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge — 10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. 14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.  16With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Matthew Henry said the message of Psalm 91 is that all who live a life of close communion with God are constantly safe under his protection and may therefore live in security and peace of mind at all times. 

We live in a world full of danger and disease.  The arrows of accusation and attack are often aimed at us. We have both human and spiritual enemies. But Psalm 91 says the person who chooses God as his shelter will be protected by God from all evil. The promise is NOT the absence of danger, but of coming through all danger, unscathed, safe in God.

Although Psalm 91 has been a great source of comfort for God’s people for 3,000 years, and it should be a great comfort to us, I sense that I may be treading on dangerous ground with some people by preaching these bold promises.  I know that some people’s response to this Psalm will be, “Yeah but.. what about what happened to this person?”.   Or “I know too much about viruses, bacteria, statistics, and science.. to believe that!”  Yet it would seem to me to be a dereliction of duty to NOT teach on this Psalm precisely at this time.

In the midst of the present pandemic and other world problems, I believe there is a great need for us to seriously examine who or what we really trust in.  Who or what gives us confidence to go on?  What gives us peace?  Who or what makes us feel safe?  Do we really trust God for these things?  Of course some might wrongly use this Psalm in a superstitious way, rejecting good judgment and other scriptures that need to be taken into consideration.  But I think our bigger problem is seeking to find our safety and peace in things and people other than in God.  David said in Psalm 4:8 “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety”. 

In 1854 Charles Spurgeon was pastoring a church in the midst of a major Cholera outbreak in London. He relates this personal story during that time:  “My friends seemed to be falling one by one and I felt or imagined that I was sickening like those around me.  A little more work and weeping would have laid me low... I felt that my burden was heavier than I could bear....  I was returning mournfully from a funeral, when, as God would have it, my curiosity led me to read a paper which was in a shoemaker’s window in the Great Dover Road.  It bore, in a good bold handwriting, these words:

“Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”  The effect on my heart was immediate.  Faith appropriated the passage as her own.  I felt secure, refreshed, girt with immortality.  I went on with my visitation of the dying, in a calm and peaceful spirit.  I felt no fear of evil and I suffered no harm.  The providence which moved the tradesman to place those verses in his window, I gratefully acknowledge; and in remembrance of it’s marvelous power, I adore the Lord my God.”  

Twenty years later, in 1874, Spurgeon published a commentary on Psalm 91, under the title “The Privileges of the Godly.” In it he said, a German physician (often spoke)of [Psalm 91] as the best preservative in times of cholera, and in truth, it is a heavenly medicine against plague and pest. He who can live in its spirit will be fearless, even if once again London should (face the plague).

Philip Jenkins history professor at Baylor University said, “If a government minister or church leader in 2020 said anything like Spurgeon did so confidently in 1874, that person would be mocked and denounced so hard that they would be instantly driven from public life.”  And yet he basically just said what Psalm 91 said. Times have changed! 

We have to face the reality that we are dominated by a humanist perspective in our culture today.  Humanists believe humans are the final authority, and have the solutions we need for life. Humanists do not believe that God helps, or that we need help from God. Humanists do not believe God intervenes, or protects or answers prayer.  We would be naive to think the church is not constantly in danger of being influenced by this dominant philosophy of our times.  The danger for us is to put so many qualifiers and “yeah buts” on this Psalm that we quench it’s power, and truth, and comfort! 

Psalm 91 calls us to go to God as our place of safety. It does not call us to a life of primarily avoiding risks. It does not call us to a life of “ultra self-protection”. It does not counsel us to cautiously hide ourselves from all danger.  But calls us to take refuge in God, to face life courageously, without fear!

*The theme of Psalm 91 is simply: The one who makes the Lord his refuge will find great protection from God.  This is a promise to those who trust in God.  It is a promise to THE ONE who dwells in the shelter of the Most High. A shelter only protects those who get under it. Verse 9 says, “Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place” no evil shall befall you. The promises of Psalm 91 all hinge on that condition. 

The reality is…We WILL turn to someone or something to see us through the dangers of life.  If we do not trust God, we will either meticulously seek to work out our own agenda for safety, or follow someone else’s agenda for safety.  This is not a small sin!  Psalm 78:22 says, “The Lord’s anger flared against Israel because they did not believe in God or trust in his saving power.” If we trust in alternative “gods” to protect us, it can lead to the Lord’s displeasure and even discipline.  

Psalm 91 appeals to us to trust God because God takes great pleasure in those who DO trust him, and gives them special protection! Verse 14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.”.  

*Our protection comes from the ultimate authority and power in the universe.  We dwell in the shelter of the Most High; we abide in the shadow of the Almighty”.  We are safe, precisely because the One who protects us is the Most High, the Almighty. 

*We enter the protection of God by CHOOSING to place ourselves under his protection.  We MAKE the Lord our refuge. Verse 2 demonstrates this action of our heart!  “I will say to the Lord, (You are) My refuge and my fortress, You are my God, in whom I trust”.  “God, YOU are my place of safety!” If you begin to talk to God like this, you will have amazing peace and amazing protection. 

*Verses 3-16 itemize the soaring promises of protection we find in God.  Newman Hall, a London minister, wrote in 1867: The privileges of those who abide under the shadow of the Almighty, are described with inimitable force and beauty in this ninety-first Psalm. Here the church possesses a storehouse of consolation—a treasury of untold wealth—a casket of precious jewels—an arsenal, where Faith may find abundant weapons of attack, as well as a shield to quench every fiery dart—(Psalm 91 is) a Grand Charter, a Bill of Rights, granted to undeserving rebels, by the Sovereign Grace of the Most High, who bids them honor him by constantly claiming its ratification. What a catalogue of blessings for all who flee for refuge to God! Omnipotence is their hiding-place, God is their home. He spreads over them His wing. His faithfulness is their buckler. They are secure from night's vague fears, and from day's plain perils; from the plots of malice, and the ravages of plague; from man's destructions, and from the scourge of God. While ten thousand fall around, they are unhurt. Not all the powers of earth or hell can injure a hair of their heads.—For them evil turns to good, and sorrows lead to joys. Angels unseen attend them. They are borne up beyond the reach of even slightest injuries. They conquer their worst foes. They trample on the roaring lion and the subtle snake. They are admitted to the presence-chamber of the King, and are allowed familiar communion with Him. All their petitions are granted. Jehovah is with them in trouble, to comfort and deliver. They are exalted to high stations, and clothed with glory and honor. Length of days is secured to them, and at last (they enter) the Paradise of God.” 

Let’s briefly look at each of these promises:

Vs 3 promises, “He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler ”.  A fowler is a person who hunts or traps birds.  God will save you from those who are after you, to hurt you, trap you, to kill you.  This is a promise of protection against all who would seek your downfall, including the Devil.

Vs 4  “He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler”.  As a mother eagle protects her little ones, God spreads his wings over you, and you are safe there. In Psalm 63 David said, “In the shadow or your wings I will sing for joy”.  Our emotions are a great indication of whether we are taking refuge in God or not.  When we are living under his wings, we can sing and shout for joy!  

Vs 5,6 “You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.”  God protects, both day and night. Satan often attacks at night.  Our own thoughts or dreams can sometimes terrorize us. God protects us at night.

He protects us from the arrows that fly at us during the day. He protects us from deadly disease, and from destruction. James Montgomery Boice said, “This does not mean that those who trust God never die from (disease) or suffer from an enemy’s plot, of course. It means that those who trust God are habitually delivered from such dangers. What Christian cannot testify to many such deliverances?” 

Vs 7 “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.” The odds may tell you that 9 out of 10 people in your situation will have such and such an outcome.  Psalm 91 says it doesn't matter.  Even if the odds are ten thousand to one, God will still protect you.

When we went to Iowa City Hospitals with Cindy in 1984 she had a very rare and deadly form of cancer.  The first thing we asked the Iowa City doctors was had they treated people with this type of cancer before.  They said, yes.  Our next question was did any of them survive.   They said no.  If we lived by percentages that would have put an end to our confidence that God would heal Cindy.

“You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.”  The vengeance of God is NOT upon us, but upon the wicked.  Nothing will happen to you that comes from the wrath of God.  The closest you would get, is to look on with your eyes...

Vs 9  “If you make the Most High your dwelling, then no evil will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent”.  Some people do all kinds of superstitious things to protect themselves and their homes. This vs says if you make the Most High your dwelling, then you and your home will have God’s protection. 

Vs 11 “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways....”. One of the ways God will use to protect you is to command his angels to surround and to protect you, in ALL your ways”! “They will lift you up in their hands...so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”  God cares even about your feet!  

In my first job I worked at a manufacturing company. I was on the factory floor talking to a fork lift driver.  When we finished talking, I turned to walk away. And he tromped on the gas. He had the steering wheel cranked all the way in one direction.  The forklift whipped around and its single massive steel rear wheel ran over the back of my shoe.  It completely crushed and destroyed the back of my shoe but only scraped the skin of my heal.   The owner of the company took me in the first aid room, looked at it and said, “Another inch and you would never have walked on that foot again”.  A few more inches and I might have been killed. We may never realize all the things we were spared because of the unseen intervention of angels.  

Vs 13 “You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent”.  The things most feared by most people are not to be feared, by us, at all!  They are not going to get you, you are going to get them.  Satan is not going to trample you under his feet – the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  We are not to think like poor helpless victims!  Paul said,  “I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen”.  That’s how we’re supposed to talk and think! 

Psalm 91 ends with God himself telling us what it is that stirs his heart to provide such protection.  “Because he loves me, I will rescue him.  Because he knows me, I will protect him.”  God honors your love and trust! ...“I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”  I was thinking of Grayson, in Alissa’s arms, as a picture of this complete love, trust and dependence.  Yes, even as a baby, surely he loves and trusts and depends on his mother and his father. What is Alissa and Josh’s response to his complete trust and dependence?  Good luck, I hope you make it?  No!  It is absolute care and protection!  They would say the same thing God says! “I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honor him, I will satisfy him and save him!”  That is God’s heart toward those who love him and depend on him!    

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One of my deep desires, in the present health crisis, is that Christians would trust more in God than in worldly authorities.  I desire that we would give more reverence to God’s Word, than we give to what the world says.  I’m not saying don’t listen to medical opinions or government leaders.  I am just asking who has our ACTUAL allegiance and reverence.  Who do we fear more? Who do we trust more?  Do we tremble more at what the experts tell us, or at the Word of God? 

If we take refuge in God, THEN GOD HAS US!  Coronavirus is not in charge of our lives!  Cancer or car accidents, our worst enemy, our political opponents or personal enemies, do not have charge over us.  God does.  We are in his hands.  And we are completely safe there. 

Three final comments:

*If we choose God as our shelter, we can expect actual deliverance in the real world dangers we all face. The Bible, Christian history, the lives of missionaries and ordinary saints are filled with stories of amazing acts of God to protect them.  

I read a book called “A Thousand Miles of Miracles”, the story of China Inland Mission missionaries who escaped from China during the Boxer rebellion.  As they traveled 1000 miles through danger of torture and death, they read Psalm 91over and over.  They trusted its promises and experienced amazing deliverances.  That’s what the book is about – 1000 miles of miracles!

*If we choose God as our shelter, even in those instances in our lives where evil seems to have the upper hand, Satan's purposes are always overthrown and God's good plan for us is always advanced.  Romans 8:28  And we know God causes all things to work for the good of those who love him...

*If we choose God as our shelter we know that nothing can affect our Eternal safety in God.  We know that trouble, famine, danger, demons, nothing present or in the future, not even death, can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  To be safe in Christ is ultimate safety. 

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The question for each of us is will we live in fear or will we live in God. If you want to know where you are living, listen to yourself talk.  You can tell in a minute where you are living by what you are saying.  This is why it is so important to SAY to the Lord, “You are my refuge and my fortress.  You are my God in whom I trust”.

Stand and say this together!