Title: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
The Bible doesn’t clarify who wrote Psalm 91 or where and when it was written. However, the one thing very clear is that this psalmist encountered inexpressible suffering and immeasurable difficulty. But what is more important here is that this psalmist in such situation still confessed that God is alive, and He controls everything in the heaven and the earth.
1. Saints may encounter various sufferings and difficulties
The Bible clearly says that even the believers and saints will encounter sufferings and difficulties because we are living in the fallen world. What kind of suffering and difficulty did this psalmist encounter?
- A snare of the trapper (Psa 91:3)
Hebrew word for ‘snare’ is ‘Pa-h’, it means a bird hunting snare like a basket is placed upside down on the ground and a little twig is placed at one side to lift up the basket a bit and a bait is placed inside. When a bird goes in to get the bait, as it touches the twig, or you pulled a string attached to the twig to close the basket to catch the bird. So, this snare means an intentional and artificial trap. It means all the evil schemes, tricks and plots that we may encounter in our life.
- Deadly pestilence
Hebrew word for ‘pestilence’ is ‘DeBeru’ and it means ‘pestilence, plague and murrain.’ As it is described as deadly pestilence, it refers to an epidemic or pandemic that caused many deaths. Psa 91:6 also described as the pestilence that stalks in darkness. Hebrew word for ‘darkness’ is ‘Opel’ and it means that pestilence that spread without knowing, privily and secretly.
- Terror by night or arrow flies by day (Psa 91:5)
Hebrew word for ‘terror’ is ‘PaHad’ and it means ‘fear, terror, horror and panic.’ This psalmist experienced an evil scheme that drove him to destruction, deadly pestilence that kills people without full recognition, and great terror and fear that stopped the process of faith. The condition of this psalmist is very similar to how we are now.
The Bible doesn’t say that Christians will not get sufferings and difficulties. As we’ve seen from Psa 91, this psalmist experienced an evil trap, deadly pestilence, great fear and terror. However, the Bible also says that we should take courage and hope of overcoming because Jesus already overcame the world (Jn 16:33; 1Jn 5:4). No matter how strong and dangerous COVID-19 is, would it be more power than Jesus who controls of life and death of all mankind? Let’s not panic, as long as we hold on to Jesus by faith, we will be able to overcome this time of suffering and pestilence.
2. Where are the refuge for saints?
(1) God Himself (Psa 91:2, 9)
Psalmist confesses that God is his refuge and his fortress. Today, we should have the same faith and same confession: God is my refuge and my fortress.
(2) The shelter of the Most High (Psa 91:1)
Where is the shelter of the Most High?
Firstly, it is the shadow of the Almighty.
When the Israelites had 40 years’ wilderness journey, they were surrounded by fiery serpents and scorpions, and freezing coldness by night and scorching heat by day. Dt 8:15 says that it was the terrible wilderness. However, the people of Israel were not harmed by the risks around them because there were in the pillar of cloud and fire. Likewise, we should know that staying in the shadow of God safe and there is God’s salvation.
Secondly, it is the wings of God (Psa 91:4). Jesus also said that He wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under wings.
Thirdly, it is the Holy of Hollies (Psa 91:1). Hebrew word for ‘shelter’ is ‘SeTeru’ and it means the most hidden place. Where is the most hidden place in the temple? That is the Holy of Hollies; in order to get there, you have to pass many gates and entrances. And also, the Holy of Hollies is only open one day a year. Thus, in this sense, this shelter, the most hidden place can be related to the Holy of Hollies.
Where is the Holy of Hollies for us today? Firstly, it is the church, there we meet our God. Secondly, since we are taking home as a sanctuary, your house is the Holy of Hollies providing that you are meeting with God there.
When we hide ourselves in the shelter of the Most High, the blessing and the hope the psalmist proclaimed will be ours.
Psa 91:7 A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you. Psa 91:10 No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 