“I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust” (Psalm 91:2).
This marvelous psalm of life and security follows a psalm of frailty and death (Psalm 90) written by Moses, who may have been the author of this psalm as well. For our devotional study today, attention is called to the change of personal pronoun throughout, implying a dialogue between three speakers.
The psalm begins as a godly teacher, or prophet, or perhaps an angel, bestows a benediction upon the believer: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (v.1), ascribing the security of the believer to the character of God.
The believer responds to this blessing by avowing his trust in God and in His character (v.2).
To the testimony of the believer, the first speaker replies, expounding on the former blessing, detailing the protection provided by God (vv.3–8) and the blessings of that care. Note, “Because thou [the believer] hast made the LORD [Jehovah], which is my [the speaker] refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone” (vv.9–13).
At the end, Jehovah Himself responds, confirming all that the speaker has said: “Because he [the believer] hath set his love upon me [Jehovah], therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91:14–16). JDM
