Sunday
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.’ 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. . . .
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. . . .
“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.”
(Psalms 91:1-6, 9-12, 14-16, NIV)
Biblical scholars believe that this psalm was probably written by one of the officials who served in the Temple as a word of assurance to the faithful who worshipped there. Its central theme is trust in God and you will be secure. God is described as a refuge – a shelter in time of desperate need – and a fortress – a stronghold against attack by enemies, two powerful images often used in Hebrew poetry. The picture of God as a bird who provides protection “under his wings” is also repeated throughout the Psalms.
Against the threat of physical attack by enemies or life-threatening diseases, the only sure defense can be found in God. The conclusion of today’s verses carries with it the powerful assurance that God will “protect” and “rescue” those who love him. The promise of deliverance is combined with the promise to honor the faithful. Along with those gifts comes the promise of long life and eternal salvation. Shalom, in all its many dimensions, is what is promised here – physical security, a full life, harmonious relationships, and a “right relationship” with God.
If we trust in God, we have no reason to be fearful. If we make him our “dwelling,” then he promises that “no harm will befall you” (v. 10). With legions of angels at his command, we have our own personal security guard at all times. The psalmist’s poetic images bring us this message: God alone is the source of our peace; he is the only one who can give us internal tranquility.
Prayer
Most High God, we rejoice that we can rest in your shadow. You are our refuge and our fortress. You are our shield and our rampart (wall). Give us the strength of character to trust in what we cannot see. Help us to resist the temptation to put our confidence in the protective devices that we can see. Deliver us, Lord, into the safety of your presence. Amen.