Heart of a Psalmist - Psalms 91

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)