Psalm 91 (Student Notes) Preliminary Thoughts on the Psalms The Psalms may be thought of as 150 individual poetic prayers and hymns. Consider them as musical poetry. They were addressed directly to God, or to His people as songs about God. The psalms have different poetic styles. We will cover this later in the school year as part of the course on Bible Study. For now, however, here are brief descriptions of some of the patterns of poetry found in the psalms. 1. Synonymous parallelism: This is when two verses say essentially the same thing. Examples would be found in Psalm 19:1 and 62:1. (Psalms 19:1-2 NKJV) The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. (Psalms 62:1 NKJV) Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. 2. Antithetical parallelism: Listen to Psalm 20:7 (Psalms 20:7 NKJV) Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Psalms 20:8 NKJV) They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. Individually, they show antithetical parallelism. Together, they show synonymous parallelism. (In the course on Bible Study Methods we will learn more.) 3. Repetition: Listen to Psalm 80, Verses 3, 7 and 19. (Indicates a musical structure) 4. There are other forms of poetry in the Psalms, and we will learn about them at a later date. Among these is Psalm 119, which is unique to the Psalms. It is an acrostic (alphabetical in nature, according to the Hebrew alphabet. There are different types of Psalms. 1. Lament Psalms = express suffering (largest group) - These often relate to our are also 2. Imprecatory Psalms (Example: Psalm 35) 3. Thanksgiving Psalms = Purpose is to give thanks to God 3. Hymns of Praise = Purpose is to praise God 4. Salvation History Psalms = Relate to Christ as savior and sacrificial Lamb. 5. Celebration Psalms Psalm 22 6. Wisdom Psalms 1
7. Songs of Trust: There are ten of these. The remainder of this study will focus on Psalm 91. First Section of the Psalm: Verses 1-8 God Is Our Refuge READ VERSE 1 NKJV If you have the handout, you also have God s Word Translation. The Treasury of David says, This verse speaks of the great nearness of God a condition of God s promise, bringing special benefits to both the psalmist and to us. 1 It does not speak of He who visits. To dwell is not to visit from time to time. It is a condition of habitual residence. The Hebrew word for dwell is yashov, which means, to be quietly, constantly remaining in the same place. This is a place where rest is the distinguishing feature. Whose secret place is it? What significance does that hold for the dweller? (If you can dwell there, it means God has given you entrance. You are welcome.) The Hebrew word for Most High is Elyon which means The Loftiest. (He is the High and Lofty One whose name is holy - Isaiah 57:15) READ ISAIAH 57:15 NKJV IN Psalm 91, the word abide means to continually and comfortably lodge in a place, to tarry there, to be comfortably at home to endure, sustain or withstand, to continue in a particular attitude or relationship to stand. Combine this with the meanings for dwell and the significance of this passage becomes clear. The underlying assurance we get from Psalm 91 is that God is where His shadow falls. (Psalms 46:1-3 NKJV) God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. {2} Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; {3} Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah READ VERSE 2 NKJV 1 (Mary Duncan, Writing in The Treasury of David, Spurgeon, p.96) 2
(Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV) You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. {4} Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. The psalmist is not trusting in the LORD s shadow. His trust is in the Person of the LORD! It is from within an intimate, personal relationship with the Person. When the psalmist says: I will say of the LORD, he is really saying, I will say to the LORD. The LORD is listening to every word out of our mouths. READ VERSE 3 NKJV The psalmist is speaking to someone else. He is not reciting the words simply for his own benefit. The Holy Spirit wants to speak to you from within this Psalm. He promises deliverance from two specific things. 1. The snare or trap of the one who hunts down your soul The Hebrew word for snare or trap is pach which describes the net a person used to catch birds. (That s what a fowler is - he snares fowl.) 2. The perilous pestilence The Hebrew words: havah deber (or perilous pestilence) mean: a perverse calamity rushing upon a person as a destroying plague. READ VERSES 4-6 NKJV The psalmist uses poetic language. He illustrates the saving intervention of the LORD using the imagery of the protective actions of a mother bird keeping her babies from harm (from both the elements and from predators). We may amplify the expression under His wings to become under the unfailing wings of His power and love. God s promise You shall not be afraid of 1. The terror by night: This phrase implies an enemy coming suddenly upon one s dwelling or village with violent, evil intent. 2. The arrow that flies by day: This phrase could describe fiery darts, or demonic spiritual attacks upon God s people. It could also simply be a compliment of the terror by night, extended to daylight. 3. The pestilence that walks in darkness: This phrase describes afflictions of all kinds that come as unseen visitors. 4. Destruction that lays waste at noonday: It operates openly as it destroys - This could be physical illness or any other spiritual attack. It can also be sin-inflicted consequences from our own actions. 3
READ VERSES 7-8 NKJV The psalmist seems to promise us that the things mentioned in Verses 5 and 6 will not touch us. Multitudes may fall and perish but those who trust in God will not. We will stand and look with our own eyes at the wicked, as they fall prey to these traumatic events. The implication is that they will be punished for their evil ways. (There are eschatological or messianic implications in this verse.) The Second Section of the Psalm: Verses 9-13 Divine Intervention in a Crisis READ VERSES 9-10 NKJV There is a cause and effect relationship within these verses. Because (therefore) no evil shall befall you. These verses refers to a particular position the believer takes - This position is a Proverbs 3:5-6 position. It is a position of no compromise. The psalmist acknowledges the Lord as his refuge and fortress. It is an uncompromising position, regardless of circumstances or apparent outcomes. READ VERSES 11-12 NKJV This verse explains how God puts into effect His promises in Verses 9 and 10. Angels are the agents God places in charge of your destiny. Their commission is to keep you in every one of your ways. It is a holy charge from God. They take it seriously and so should we. The Holy Spirit even explains how this happens. God places you in their hands. Visualize what that means. They are assigned to protect you. Angels are the agents God sends to you to validate His Word. The Hebrew word for bear (used in Verse 12, is nasa. It s meaning here is: carry or lift up. The symbolism is obvious. Their actions keep you from stumbling and hurting yourself because they intervene. Angels are big. They are powerful and they mean business! READ VERSE 13 NKJV In biblical Hebrew literature, there are various techniques used by the writers for emphasis. Among these are what are called parallelisms. This means repetition for emphasis or force. 4
Verse 13 displays a classic use of Hebrew synonymous parallelism. (Remember, this means repeating the same idea in a slightly different way to give it more emphasis or force). Hebrew writers often used this technique when they wanted to make an exceptionally strong emphasis on a particular idea. This verse is another rich word picture depicting the believer stepping all over the evil that tried to step all over him or her. The lions and snakes represent evil. They are a metaphor for the devil s bite and sting. This verse reminds us that as we keep walking in faith, God will put the devil and his agents under our feet. The word trample means much more than just stepping on something. To trample is to inflict serious and even fatal damage. You are dangerous to the devil. This fact is useless unless you first know it; second, believe it; and third, put it into action. The Third Section of the Psalm: Verses 14-16 The Psalmist s Salvation Oracle READ VERSES 14-16 Here the psalm becomes prophetic. It speaks to those who are in the secret place of the Most High. Now, the voice has changed and we are listening to the voice of God. There is a cause and effect at work here. The psalm prophesies that God will deliver him. Seven times God says, I will READ PSALM 46:8-11 - PSALM 18:1-3 - ISAIAH 55:11 - JEREMIAH 1:12, 19 - PSALM 95:1-7 - PSALM 2 5