Heart of a Psalmist - Psalms 91

PSALM 91: THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY The Temptation of Christ

Spurgeon designates this psalm: ‘In the whole collection there is not a more cheering psalm, its tone is elevated and sustained throughout, faith is at it’s best, and speaks nobly.’ It is a psalm of personal protection from all forms of the dark world; spiritual enemies, natural enemies, diseases and in- ward fears. It is generally believed to be a composition of Moses as the language of the song is closely tied to Deuteronomy 32 and 33, the circumstances describing the Israelites deliverance from Egypt and journey through the wilderness. The Jewish theologians believed that anonymous psalms that followed ones that had a designated author (Ps. 90- Moses) were also the work of the previously identified writer. It is believed that there are at least two different speakers conversing in the psalm with a possible choir singing a chorus. The Devil misused this psalm in the temptations of Christ. The law was unable to secure the victory over Satan that was won centuries later by the Son of God who rightly understood the meaning of this psalm. It is outlined:

I SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH - 1,2 II SHIELD YOU WITH HIS WINGS - 3-8 III SERPENTS UNDER YOUR FEET - 9-13 IV SATISFY WITH LONG LIFE - 14-16

I

SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH 1,2 “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (1) This I declare of the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him.” (2)

Verse 1 is the theme of the whole psalm and is sung by the 1st singer. Verse 2 is a personal response by a second singer where he makes the promise of God his own. God becomes available to us through our confession. The psalmist uses 4 names for deity in the opening thoughts making this a rich revelation of God worthy of the listeners trust. ‘Most High’ is ELYON the Great God; ‘Almighty’ is SHADDAI the Provider; ‘Lord’ is YAWEH the Redeemer and ‘Almighty’ is ELOHIM the Adorable one. The ‘shadow of the Almighty’ could be in reference to the cloud that overshadowed the Israelites in the wilderness providing shade during the blistering heat of the day and light for the dark nights: “The Lord guided them by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night.” (Ex. 13:21) As Spurgeon says: ‘every creature uses its refuge in the hour of danger 1 ’. “For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” (3,4) Assuming this to be a song of Moses, ‘the trap’ (‘the fowler’s snare’ NIV) would be the Israelites position before the Red Sea: “Those Israelites are confused. They are trapped between the wilderness and the sea!” (Ex. 14:3) The ‘fatal plague’ would be in reference to the plague that killed the animals in Egypt: “The Lord will send a deadly plague to destroy your horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, and sheep. II SHIELD YOU WITH HIS WINGS - 3-8

But the Lord will again make a distinction between the property of the Israelites and that of the Egyptians. Not a single one of Israel’s livestock will die!” (Ex. 9:3,4)

The ‘wings’ and the ‘feathers’ were in reference to the Cherubim that ‘overshadowed’ the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle. Moses met God face to face in this setting on a daily basis. Moses invites all of humanity to join him in this intimate relationship with God. Although the plagues were devastating the land, God’s promise to protect his people was like a suit of armor: “Then you will know that I am the Lord and that I have power even in the heart of your land. I will make a clear distinction between your people and my people.” (Ex. 8:22,23) “Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,”(5) would be the plague of darkness that numbed the land of Egypt. “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Lift your hand toward heaven, and a deep and terrifying darkness will descend on the land…’” (Ex. 10:21) The Shadow of the Almighty brought light to the Israelites! “But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived.” (Ex. 10:22) “… nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness,”(6) The most probable fulfillment of this verse would be the midnight slaying of all of the firstborn sons of Egypt: “About midnight I will pass through Egypt. All the firstborn sons will die in every family in Egypt,…Then a loud wail will be heard throughout the land of Egypt; there has never been such wailing before, and there never will be again.”(Ex. 11:4-6) The main theme of the psalm is emphasized again in the accompanying verses, God will protect those who love him: “But among the Israelites it will be so peaceful that not even a dog will bark. Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites.” (Ex. 11:7) “… nor the disaster that strikes at midday.” (6) The plague of hail corresponds to this verse: “The Lord sent a tremendous hailstorm against all the land of Egypt. Never in all the history of Egypt had there been a storm like that, with such severe hail and continuous lightning. It left all of Egypt in ruins.” (Ex. 9:23-25) Once again the Israelites were hidden safely under the shelter of his wings! “The only spot in all Egypt without hail that day was the land of Goshen, where the people of Israel lived.” (Ex. 9:26) “Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished.” (7,8) The terrifying judgment of death upon the firstborn sons of Egypt did not touch the Israelites who were covered by the blood of the slain lamb. From the safety of their homes they observed the punishment of the wicked: “But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the Lord will pass over your home. He will not permit the Destroyer to enter and strike down your firstborn.”(Ex. 12:23) “… nor fear the dangers of the day,” (5) most likely were the plagues such as the flies, boils and frogs that took place in the daytime.

III

SERPENTS UNDER YOUR FEET - 9-13

“If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling.” (9,10)

We must meet the terms of God’s ‘ifs’ before we can claim the resulting promises. Moses boldly proclaims the Lord’s favor to those who are covered by the blood of the lamb… ”no evil…no plague…”.

“For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.”(11,12)

The Devil partially quoted this scripture in his second temptation of Christ leaving out the very important “to protect you wherever you go.” It is the only recorded time where he directly recites the Word of God: “Then the Devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, “He orders his angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.’” (Mt. 4:5-7) The Devil tried to twist the interpretation of the scripture; ‘Jump and the angels will protect you from the consequences of falling!’ Jesus rightly understood the true meaning; ‘His angels will “...protect you wherever you go…’ so you won’t jump into situations that are harmful! The Devil tries to get believers to jump prematurely into all sorts of dangerous circumstances. The ‘highest point of the Temple…’ could represent ‘worship’ as it is the pinnacle of the believer’s life. There is a pressure upon worship leaders to jump into things that are spectacular, but it is best to avoid this trap and be content with efforts that are excellent and sincere. Jesus’ responses to the three temptations of the Devil were all from the Book of Deuteronomy; “Jesus responded, ‘The Scriptures also say, “Do not test the Lord your God.”’ (Mt. 4:7)

“You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! (13)

Just as the Israelites overcame the fiery serpents in the wilderness: “Whenever those who were bitten looked at the bronze snake, they lived.” (Num. 21:9) Christ overcame the Devil who is depicted as both a lion and a serpent in his wilderness temptations: “This great dragon¬–the ancient serpent called the Devil, ..." (Rev. 12:9) After the 3 temptations God sent the angels promised in this psalm to minister to Jesus; “Then the Devil went away, and angels came and cared for Jesus.”(Mt. 4:11)

IV

SATISFY WITH LONG LIFE -14-16

The author of this psalm now turns to their prophetic gift speaking directly on behalf of God. This is a brief song of the Lord marked several times by God’s emphatic phrase; ‘I will’. It is unequaled in beauty and hope. • “The Lord says, ‘I will rescue those who love me.’” (14) Those who make an effort to love the Lord are assured of his promised deliverance. “…with all his imperfections he does love his God; there- fore not the angels of God only, but the God of angels himself will come to his rescue in perilous times 2 …’ • “I will protect those who trust in my name.” (14) God’s love not only rescues us, but he shields us from harmful situations. • “When they call on me, I will answer;” (15) Love is the key to having an instant audience with the King. • “I will be with them in trouble.” (15) This precious promise is spoken directly to those who set their love on him. • “I will rescue them and honor them.” (15) We are not only rescued from our difficulties, but God adds honor to us after the trial is over. • “I will satisfy them with long life and give them my salvation.” (16) God lifts the focus

off of the present difficulties by promising a long life on this earth and eternal life in heaven with him. All of the benefits are qualified by this statement: ‘If you make the Most High your shelter…” A loving God invites us to love him in return.

1 Spurgeon 2 Spurgeon

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