II. A quiet place where we can go to God in prayerour bedroom or prayer closet. The psalmist's own resolution to take God for his keeper ( Ps. - Oscar Cullmann, Immortality of the Soul - by Kaufmann Kohler, Technical Terms and Usages Preclude Innate Immortality - Froom, The Development of the Doctrine of Immortality from the Apostolic Fathers to Augustine, The Doctrine of Immortality in the Early Church. ), Mounces Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006), Renn, Stephen D., Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words: Word Studies for Key English Bible Words Based on the Hebrew and Greek Texts (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 2005), Richards, Lawrence O., Encyclopedia of Bible Words (Zondervan, 1985, 1991), Sakenfeld, Katharine Doob (ed. II. A believer needs not fear, and therefore should not fear, any arrow, because the point is off, the poison is out. (1.) This book of praise manifests a very practical theology. The verb yada (has known) means to knowbut more. The large shield offers protection over a larger areaand a line of soldiers can put their rectangular shields together to form a nearly impenetrable wall against enemy arrows. The MacArthur Bible Studies provide intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture. All of this because He says we know Him by name (v 14) and can call Him Father. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. His faithfulness (emettruth) is your shield (Hebrew: sinnah) and rampart (Hebrew: soherahbuckler) (v. 4c). MacArthur is a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker and has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California since 1969 . - Richard A. Wiedenheft, Immortality - The Gift Of God Through Faith In Jesus The Christ, Immortality or Resurrection of the Dead? All these promises, some think, point primarily at Christ, and had their accomplishment in his resurrection and exaltation. Please be aware that these items are sent out from our office in the UK. so that you wont dash your foot against a stone. Is Sovereign the Best Descriptor for God? His wings and his feathers suggest both power and softness. If they were, no one would ever die. Can any language be loftier? I'm reading this passage twice a day as a prescription instruction from a Bishop. 3 (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2016), Tate, Marvin E., Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 51-100 (Dallas: Word Books, 1990), Waltner, James H., Believers Church Bible Commentary: Psalms (Scottdale, Pennsylvania: Herald Press, 2006), Baker, Warren (ed. Psalms 91:13. It is more probably that the word refers to the better country, that is, the heavenly, which the patriarchs desired and sought: he will show him that, bring him to that blessed state, the felicity of which consists so much in seeing that face to face which we here see through a glass darkly; and, in the mean time, he will give him a prospect of it. If the face of such a harsh reality as this, God is placed in the position of being the protecting parent of His young as their fortress, shield, and protector. The word sillumah means punishment, but carries the connotation of deserved punishment. Lions serve as a metaphor for powerful forces that can take us apart with one swipe of their claws. Gender Revolution - What are they teaching your kids? ", Counterfeit Cross - Bear or Burn: The Fruit of Obedience in the Parables of Christ - updated, Counterfeit Cross - What is a "Carnal Christian"? This, however, is not a book that helps in grappling with problem verses; it simply helps a preacher or teacher come down to earth. (1.) You can check these in your browser security settings. The secret place of the Most High could be: The temple. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Learn more today! 11-12). Oh, labour to get to that blessed position! Even there, God is present. Once at the beginning of day. So the psalmist is talking about a serious threat when he uses the word deber. Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling (vv. To the extent that we believe that, it will allay our fear. I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979-1988), Brown, Francis; Driver, S.R. It is the daytime equivalent of the night-stalking pestilence of verse 6a. In this verse, resting in the shadow of the Almighty is the blessing that the faithful person experiences for dwelling in Yahwehs presence. Hell Under Fire - CIANZ Annual Conference Address, Jesus' Teaching on Hell - Samuel G. Dawson, The Nature of Hell - Evangelical Alliance, The Origin of Hell-Fire in Christian Teaching, The Bible Verses the Traditional View of Hell - Babu G. Ranganathan, Applying the Resurrection (5.) As the little chicks bury their tiny heads in the feathers of the hen, and seem happy, and warm, and comfortable under their mothers wings, so shall it be with thee if thou dwellest with thy God: He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust.. Psalms 91:3. Aye, that is true, you will say, who makes any doubt of it? The word elyon is usually translated Most High, and is usually used for God. The character of those who shall have the benefit and comfort of these promises; it is much the same with that, v. 1. Historically, more soldiers have died from disease than from swords, spears, and bullets. He assures us that we can enjoy the same confidence if we dwell in he secret place of the Most High (v. 1). 2 TIMOTHY 2:15. Copyright 2010-2023 Telling Ministries LLC. They are condescending in their ministrations; they keep the feet of the saints, lest they dash them against a stone, lest they stumble and fall into sin and into trouble. 10 no evil shall happen to you, The buckler is also part of the protection and this device is a defensive piece of armor used in ancient times when close range attacks occurred. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. They sicken millions of people every year, and often kill them. Not only does He deliver His own from trouble, He honors them and satisfies them, promises them long life and how long is the life that comes when He shows us His salvation? Proud member This is the verse that Satan used to tempt the Lord in the Wilderness to tell Jesus to throw Himself off the highest part of the temple (Matt 4:5) because the angels are commanded to protect Him (Matt 4:6). At the time that the psalmist wrote this psalm, the Israelite people had not yet developed a strong belief in eternal life, as we know it in the New Testamentso the salvation mentioned here probably meant to the psalmist only deliverance from trouble. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Yahweh is speaking about those who attach themselves to himbind themselves to himlove himtake delight in him. This is the name that God revealed to Moses, saying, You shall tell the children of Israel this, Yahweh (YHWH), the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations (Exodus 3:15). How could any arrows, how could any pestilence, ever be able to reach that secure abode of God? Can any comfort be surer? He will be in peril; Psalms 91:12. You will tread on the lion and cobra. and ten thousand at your right hand; I have often noticed how long Gods people live. God truly is our fortress and our refuge. A church sanctuary, hospital chapel, or airport prayer room. For example, in Psalm 1, we are not to spend all our time just meditating on the Word, but become busily involved as Jesus was in the lives of others, p. 3. 1. I will be with him in trouble: Again God speaks and acts like a tender-hearted mother towards a sickly child. It would have served them well when King Cyrus of Persia defeated Babylon and freed Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city, where they found a ruined city and were faced with many enemies. Psalms 91:15. I saw newspaper pictures of children confined to iron lungs that helped them to breath. If Jehovah be our God, our refuge, and our fortress, what can we desire which we may not be sure to find in him? Thou shalt not be afraid of the arrow, as knowing that though it may hit thee it cannot hurt thee; if it take away the natural life, yet it shall be so far from doing any prejudice to the spiritual life that it shall be its perfection." Bible commentary, Psalms 91:16. Wishlist +. Oh, yes, he values the love of his people, for he knows where it came from; it is a part of his own love; the creation of his grace! I conclude that Psalm 91 means two things about the suffering of the saints. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. 5-6). A thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hand. That he will, in the mean time, be with them in trouble, v. 15. Psalm 91:1-3 God the Deliverer "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. They shall be the special favourites of God himself, ver 14-16. Enter your email address and we will send you instructions on how to reset your password. 1. El means god (note the small g), and can be used for any god. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. - James P. Shelly, Genesis Week - Refuting Evolution - 100 Videos, The Enormity of the Error of Perverting the Gospel. Our church recently experienced a norovirus that sickened 54 of the 60 people present for worship that Sunday. All rights reserved. Please respond to confirm your registration. Study to show thyself approved . Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. Psalm 119:90 Psalm 119:91 Psalm 119:92 Psalm 119:93 Psalm 119:94 Psalm 119:95 Psalm 119:96 Psalm 119:97 . When God takes his people to dwell in nearness to himself, and they have faith in this promise, I make no doubt that, literally, in the time of actual pestilence, they will be preserved. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. Muggers would hide in recessed doorways and whack people whom they could reach easily. B. Lightfoot, Consummation of the pre-Messianic Age and the Parousia, Destruction of Jerusalem vs. Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Christianity: The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Women, The Pursuit of God - A W Tozer - Complete Book. 2023 Grace to You. Yahweh was Gods personal name for the Israelites. Thy God will not leave thee in the glare of the sun, nor will he forsake thee when the damps of night-dews would put thee in peril. There is need to fear the night filled with terror or the arrows that are visibly seen flying during the day. Growing Up With Two Moms: The Untold Childrens View. For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence." If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. The Hebrew word lin (rest) means to lodge or dwell or tarry or rest, and can designate either a temporary or permanent lodging. The Immortality of the Soul: Strength and mastery may be united. It was in the day-time that that pestilence wasted which was sent to chastise David for numbering the people, on occasion of which some think this psalm was penned. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Jack has written 1285 articles on What Christians Want To Know! Plagues and pestilences of various kinds are still occasional threats in first world countries, and are frequent threats in less developed countries. God Himself becomes like a mighty refuge and fortress for the believer. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. Yahweh is promising to bless the person who knows him in this intimate way. Others make idols their refuge, but I will say of Jehovah, the true and living God, He is my refuge: any other is a refuge of lies. As you may be aware, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into full effect on 25th May 2018. - updated, Counterfeit Cross - Lordship of Christ in Salvation - updated, The Credibility of the Testimony of the Apostles, Audio of "Children and the Rod of Correction", Audio of "The Origin of Dressing Up for Church", Audio of "The Origin of Hell-Fire in Christian Teaching", Examine Yourselves as to Whether You Are in the Faith, Refutation of Baptismal Regeneration - James P. Shelly, Was Jesus a Friend of Sinners? There shall be but the appearance of evil, not the reality of it: There shall no evil befall thee.. If God proportions the degree and continuance of our troubles to our strength, if he keeps us from offending him in our troubles, and makes our death our discharge, at length, from all our troubles, then this promise is fulfilled. He shall cover thee with his feathers, The psalmist uses a wonderful metaphor when he ascribes feathers to God, and compares him to a hen, or some mother-bird, under whose wings her young find shelter. However, we are familiar with traps of other kinds: Spam callers try to get us to get us to reveal our credit card numbers. Try it free for 30 days. Quantity: Cart +. That is a message that we need to hear in good times so that it will bring us strength during bad times. When he calls to me, I will answer him;I will be with him in trouble;I will rescue him and honor him. And from the noisome pestilence. The second meaning (equipping, to include equipping for war) has God providing us with the resources to handle the situation ourselves. 9 Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. That, whatever happens to them, nothing shall hurt them (v. 10): "There shall no evil befal thee; though trouble or affliction befal thee, yet there shall be no real evil in it, for it shall come from the love of God and shall be sanctified; it shall come, not for thy hurt, but for thy good; and though, for the present, it be not joyous but grievous, yet, in the end, it shall yield so well that thou thyself shalt own no evil befel thee. Whatever is done our heavenly Father's will is done; and we have no reason to be afraid of that. b. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, There shall no evil befall thee. It may have the appearance of evil; but it shall turn out to thy good. To know Yahwehs semhis name or reputationis to know Yahweh. Therefore the psalmist is probably saying more than he understooddeliverance from trouble and salvation to eternal life. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you (v. 7). John MacArthur) BRAIN GAMES. Anderson, A.A., The New Century Bible Commentary: Psalms 73-150 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972), Broyles, Craig C., New International Biblical Commentary: Psalms (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999, Brueggemann, Walter, The Message of the Psalms A Theological Commentary (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1984), Clifford, Richard J., Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms 73-150 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003), DeClaisse-Walford, Nancy; Jacobson, Rolf A.; Tanner, Beth Laneel, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament: The Book of Psalms (Grand Rapids: Wm. It is not every man who dwells there; no, not even every Christian man. ): Surely he shall deliver thee. The charge is to keep thee in all thy ways; here is a limitation of the promise: They shall keep thee in thy ways, that is, "as long as thou keepest in the way of thy duty;" those that go out of that way put themselves out of God's protection.