This page is a daily devotion. It will study a chapter of the Bible for 5 days one section at a time. Then it will move on to another chapter for 5 days. Included is a verse to memorize.
Psalm chapter 91
Memory verse: Psalm 91:1
The book of Psalms is the official worship song book of Israel. 73 of them were written by David, 12 by Asaph, 1 by Moses, 1 by Heman, 1 by Ethan. The rest are anonymous, possibly by David and Solomon (1Kings 4:32). It is believed that Ezra compiled them. Psalms is one of what is called the poetic books. Hebrew poetry is different than modern western poetry. They rhymed thoughts, or sometimes whole phrases or sentences (Psalm 136). Psalm 119 is organized into sections alphabetically. Jesus referred to the book of Psalms (Luke 20:42, Luke 24:44). Christians are to sing psalms (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, James 5:13). It is the most quoted book of the old testament in the new testament with 69 quotes. Psalm 91 is about the special protection God provides His people.
Day 1 – a visit or an address
Verses 1-3
A dwelling is a permanent home – an address. The secret place is a hiding place or covering. To abide is to lodge, remain, or continue. The shadow is the shade or protection. Therefore verse one could be translated, “He that permanently lives under the covering of the Most High will remain under the protection of the Almighty.” God is my refuge – the place I flee from storms, danger, and lies. He is my fortress – my mountain castle, my stronghold, my fort. In Him will I trust – place my confidence, feel safe, be secure, be without care. He will deliver – snatch away, rescue, recover – from the bird trap. “Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped (Psalm 124:7).” The covering of God is not a place to visit when we get into trouble. It is a place to live so we stay out of trouble. The real trouble is not uncomfortable circumstances. It is being in trouble with God. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).”
Day 2 – over and around us
Verses 4-6
God will guard us like a bird that is a parent would. Some birds will fearlessly defend their young against superior predators. There is no predator superior to God. Once again, the protected must be under the covering. God cannot protect us when we willingly go out from under his protection. If the chick wanders from the nest, he exposes himself to the dangers without. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not (Matthew 23:37)!” His truth will be a large shield which covers the whole body of the soldier. It will be a buckler – a surrounding defense. You won’t be afraid of the terror by night. When we fear God, we don’t have to fear anything else (Luke 12:4-5). We need not fear the arrow. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:16).” It doesn’t matter to God whether the attack comes by day or by night. He made day and night (Genesis 1:4-5). “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee (Psalm 139:12).” “I form the light, and create darkness…(Isaiah 45:7).” “He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him (Daniel 2:22).” We need not fear the pestilence – the plague, death, destruction. “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee (Exodus 15:26).”
Day 3 – it will happen to the wicked, but not you
Verses 7-10
The unbelievers have always and will always falsely accuse God of injustice (Ezekiel 18). The proper punishment for sin is eternity in hell (Genesis 2:17, Proverbs 8:36, Ezekiel 18:4 & 20, Rom 3:23, 2Pet 2:4-5, Revelation 20:11-15). God loved us so much, Hecame in the flesh, and gave Himself to die for our sins (John 1:14, John 14:7-11, 2Corinthians 5:19, Colossians 2:9, 1Timothy 3:16). His own blood satisfied His justice (Matthew 26:28, Acts 20:28). Now He can forgive the repentant, and release them from their eternal punishment through water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16, John 3:5, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:43-48, Acts 22:16). God went far beyond justice to mercy (Romans 11:32, Titus 3:5, James 2:13). It is only the grace of God that overcame the judgment we all faced, and still face unless we have obeyed the gospel (Romans 10:16, 2Thessalonians 1:8, 1Peter 4:17). The saved are under the covering of the blood of Jesus. Those who reject Him are not. The promise is to those who have made the Most High their habitation – their dwelling or refuge. No plague shall come nigh their dwelling (covering, home). That is because their dwelling place is God, not just a physical address. “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast (Isaiah 26:20).
Day 4 – angelic protection
Verses 11-13
There is a lot of wrong unbiblical information out there about angels. There is some information in the Bible about them, and we should stick with that. They are not to be a main focus in our relationship with God (Colossians 2:18, Hebrews 1). However, we need to be aware that they are real, and do minister to the saints (Matthew 18:10, 1Corinthians 11:10, Hebrews 1:14, Hebrews 13:2). The devil is aware of this (Matthew 4:6). The angels will do the reaping of souls at the end of the world (Genesis 19:1 & 15, Matthew 13:39-41 & 49, Matthew 24:36, Luke 16:22). Since angels are greater than men (Hebrews 2:7-9, 2Pet 2:11), and have direct access into the heavenly realm (1Kings 22:19, Job 1:6, Matthew 18:10), their assistance is valuable. However, there is no scripture for commanding angels. “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word (Psalm 103:20).” Angels are to obey their authority, which is God. We shall tread on the lion, the snake, and the dragon. The devil is described as a lion (1Peter 5:8), a snake (Genesis 3, Revelation 12:9), and a dragon (Revelation 12-13, Revelation 16:13, Revelation 20:2). We shall tread on him and his demons (Genesis 3:15, Psalm 8:6, Luke 10:19, Romans 16:20).
Day 5 – because you love me and know my name
Verses 14-16
God will deliver, set on high, answer, be with, honor, satisfy with long life, and show His salvation to those who love Him, and know His name. To love Him is to keep His commandments (Exodus 20:6, Deuteronomy 7:9, Deuteronomy 11:1 & 13 & 22, Deuteronomy 19:9, Deuteronomy 30:16, Joshua 22:5, Nehemiah 1:5, John 14:15 & 21, 1John 5:2-3, 2John 6). To know His name is not just to have the mental knowledge of the name of Jesus. The name of the Lord is more than a word to add onto the end of our prayers. It represents His authority. It represents His reputation. Sometimes He does things for His reputation, such as not forsake us 1Samuel 12:22, lead in the paths of righteousness – Psalm 23:3, pardon – Psalm 25:11, Psalm 79:9, Psalm 106:8, Psalm 109:21, Jeremiah 14:7, 1John 2:12, lead – Psalm 31:3, quicken – Psalm 143:1, defer His anger – Isaiah 48:9, cast you out – Isaiah 66:5, not abhor us – Jeremiah 14:21, wrought (in Egypt and wilderness) – Ezekiel 20:9 & 14 & 22, wrought with you – Ezekiel 20:44, had pity – Ezekiel 36:21-22. When we pray in the name of Jesus, we are to be praying in His stead (John 14:13, John 14:14, John 15:16, John 16:23, John 16:24 & 26). We are to be praying what Jesus would pray if He was still here in the flesh and praying himself (Luke 22:42, James 4:3, 1John 5:14).To know His name is to be submitted to His authority by doing His will and commandments.