Welcome to week 5!

So glad you are here! We’re beginning the second half of our eight week study in the Psalms with such a beautiful psalm- one of my favorites! If you want to take a look at the previous weeks, you can find them HERE.

There is so much goodness of the Lord revealed in this psalm. It is usually looked at as a psalm that displays God’s protection but in sharing the truth of God as our dwelling place, the imagery of God covering us with his feathers, being our shield and refuge, and ending with so many wonderful promises from the Lord- it has always been a psalm of comfort to me.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “Hey is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes

and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you make the Most High your dwelling-

even the Lord, who is my refuge-

then no harm will befall you,

no disaster will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

God- Our Home

“There’s no place like home.”

Like Dorothy, we’ve all most likely said this phrase a time or two in our lives. Coming home from a long trip, shoes kicked off, parking it on the couch and reveling in the comfort of your own home. Building walls, buying beds and pillows, hanging pictures and creating your haven- it’s all because you live there. Because it’s your safe place to dwell and make, not just your house, but your HOME.

The first two verses of Psalm 91 give me all of these comfy, safe home feels. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

“Dwells” means to “take up residence.” Some translations use the word “abide” or “remain.” It is the thought of permanent living. This isn’t your vacation home or the motel you occasionally visit. This is choose your room and unpack your belongings. In other words, you are home.

Isn’t that so beautiful? Home is where we find comfort. Home is where we can breathe deeply and easily. Home is where we feel loved and accepted. Home is where we run to when things get tough.

God-Our Protector

Verses 3 through 13 speak of God’s protection over us. He will:

• save us from the fowler’s snare and the deadly pestilence (v.3)
• cover and shield us (v.4)
• command his angels to guard us (v.11)

And our response to His protection? Fearlessness! We don’t have to be afraid (v.5). We will overcome every calamity, disease, terror, and drama because He promises that we can. I love that verse 13 says we will “trample the great lion and the serpent.” We’re not running scared here. Trampling is completely overcoming. And as those who dwell with the Lord, we can overcome even something as treacherous and scary as a lion or a snake.

God’s Promises

There are eight promises God gives to those who love him:

• “I will rescue him”
• “I will protect him”
• “I will answer him when he calls”
• “I will be with him in trouble”
• “I will deliver him and honor him”
• “I will satisfy him with long life”
• “I will show him my salvation”

Such great promises from our God! We have a God that knows we are fragile and need protection. He knows that troubles will come and He assures us He will be with us. God says that we can call on Him and He will answer. And God satisfies, meaning He doesn’t leave us longing for more. He gives enough to complete us and He gives us His very great salvation.

See what I mean about this psalm being so comforting?! Be at home in God’s residence, be fearless in His protection, and take comfort in the promises He makes! Kick off your shoes, stay awhile, and snuggle up. You are home and He is watching over you.

Reflection Questions

Do you feel at home in the Lord? If not, what would you need to change to make it be so?

Challenge

Read Psalm 91 in another translation. The Message or the Passion Translation would be great ones to look at. Grab a sheet of paper or your journal, write “God’s Promises” at the top. List the promises of God from each translation. Reference this list whenever you need comfort.