This study began when I initially realized the first two verses of Psalm 91 contained four different names for God. As I began looking deeper into the meaning of the Psalm, I developed a new appreciation for the significance of what the psalmist had recorded. Although it is Old Testament, the ninety-first Psalm gives a clear picture of the life of a New Testament Christian who wants to follow God to the fullest extent possible.
The Psalm contains only sixteen verses but shows an important progression in the life of the person who wishes to dwell in the shelter of the Most High and abide in the shadow of the Almighty. It is not a leisurely walk down a serene path. Rather, it is an expedition that requires commitment, faith, and perseverance. Although the journey does not begin automatically, all believers would benefit from such a pilgrimage. Conversely, not all believers will desire, nor would they consciously choose to begin such a journey.
Scripture informs us that during our earthly conflict we wage war against three enemies—the world, the flesh, and the devil. Although the verses in Psalm 91 can be effectively applied to all three enemies, the Psalm more clearly illustrates the dweller’s encounter and assured victory over spiritual enemies. These adversaries employ both the world and the flesh in their diverse attacks upon the followers of Christ.
The entire ninety-first Psalm hinges upon the announcement of the first verse. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” The psalmist states that it is “he who dwells” that “will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” In other words, if one desires to abide in the shadow of the Almighty, he must first learn to dwell in the shelter of the Most High. If the dwelling does not take place, neither shall the abiding. According to verse one, dwelling is prerequisite to abiding.
After making his own qualifying declaration as a dweller in the second verse, the psalmist speaks to another person in the third verse. “For it is He who delivers you…” He then proceeds through verse eight to present the process by which a person can enter into a lifelong experience of dwelling in the shelter of the Most High and abiding in the shadow of the Almighty.
A transition takes place in verse nine. The tenor of the Psalm takes a significant turn as the psalmist’s student appropriates dwelling as a way of life. In verses ten through thirteen the psalmist proceeds to delineate the awesome rewards of a life of dwelling in the shelter of the Most High while abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. In the last three verses of the Psalm the psalmist records four magnificent, God-given promises to the dweller. These verses clearly show that God is well-pleased with him and enables him to abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91 The Dweller is a study of the ninety-first Psalm, and its purpose is to enlighten the reader to the truths that are hidden below the surface. It is apparent by the end of the Psalm that God is delighted with the growth in the life of the dweller and the outcome of the journey he has traversed. As a result, the Most High, the Almighty, the righteous Judge, the Creator makes some rather astounding, life impacting promises on his behalf. In order to be able to understand spiritual issues, our heart needs to be right as well as our understanding. Spiritual understanding enables Christians to perceive truth as the Holy Spirit reveals it. May God’s Spirit give you understanding as you ponder the meaning of the psalmist’s words and consider the journey before us.