91:1 dwelleth. Although the 91^st psalm does not have a specifically named author, it is possible that it was written by Moses as a supplement to his previous psalm, Psalm 90. Both begin with the theme of God as the dwelling place of the believer, and have various other points of commonality in viewpoint. Both psalms are most easily understood in terms of the wanderings, hardships, and enemies of the Israelites during their forty years in the wilderness.

91:1 most High. The two names of God in this verse—“most High” (Hebrew Elyon) and “Almighty” (Shaddai)—suggest that God is both “over all” and “under all,” thereby surrounding us, able both to provide and protect.

91:2 the LORD. Two more names of God appear in this verse: “the LORD” (Jehovah) and “God” (Elohim). He is both our Redeemer and our Creator. Psalm 91:2 is, in effect, a personal acceptance of the gracious invitation given by the Holy Spirit in the first verse.

91:3 Surely He. Psalm 91:3-13 is the Spirit’s testimony of assurance and guidance, given by the Spirit to the new believer in the third person, whereas Psalm 91:14-16 is the Father’s personal promise to the trusting believer.

91:3 fowler. That is, “hunter of birds.”

91:4 his truth. God’s inscripturated Word provides our sure defense against Satan’s deceptions. Note Ephesians 6:14-16; John 17:14-17.

91:11 all thy ways. The key significance of this psalm is pointed up by the fact that Satan recognized it as a Messianic psalm and quoted from it in seeking to tempt Jesus to bypass the cross (Matthew 4:6). He misquoted the Scripture, however, in omitting the qualifier “in all thy ways.”

91:12 up in their hands. Although this promise applied most specifically to Jesus, it is also a marvelous representation of the available ministry of angels on behalf of the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14) when so directed by God.

91:13 lion and adder. In using this passage, perhaps Satan recognized it as a reference to the accomplishment by Christ of the primeval promise of Genesis 3:15, that the Seed of the Woman would eventually crush the Serpent’s head.

91:13 dragon. Both the lion and the dragon are symbolic of Satan (I Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:9). Here, incidentally, is further proof that dragons were animals as real as adders and lions. It appears that dragons were animals similar to dinosaurs (see notes on Job 40:15-19).

91:16 long life. Psalm 90 had stressed the brevity of our human life (Psalm 90:9-10), but now Psalm 91 promises the believer “long life”—that is, eternal life, “my salvation.” The Hebrew for “long life” (i.e., “long days”) is the same as “for ever” in Psalm 23:6.

Psalm 92 (title) A Psalm or Song. This “psalm or song” is for “the Sabbath day.” The Sabbath is not only for “rest,” but also a time to “give thanks” and “sing praises” to God (Psalm 92:1), and also to “shew forth,” or give testimony, to His lovingkindness and faithfulness (Psalm 92:2).