91:1 As for you, the one who lives in the shelter of the sovereign One, and resides in the protective shadow of the mighty king— 91:2 I say this about the Lord, my shelter and my stronghold, my God in whom I trust—
The author of this song is unknown. This song was written to those who trust in God as their shelter. God is sovereign, meaning that nothing can happen to a believer unless it is a part of God’s divine plan.
91:3 he will certainly rescue you from the snare of the hunter and from the destructive plague.
Members of the satanic world system will attempt to discredit, harm, injure, or kill those who trust in God. However, God will certainly rescue the believer from the assassination attempts of the satanic world system. He will also rescue the believer from disease.
91:4 He will shelter you with his wings; you will find safety under his wings. His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall.
The metaphor is that God is a big bird who will protect his little birds with His mighty wings. God is metaphorically a shield who protects the believer. God is metaphorically a protective wall who protects the believer.
91:5 You need not fear the terrors of the night, the arrow that flies by day, 91:6 the plague that comes in the darkness, or the disease that comes at noon.
Believers who are walking in the will of God do not need to fear for their safety at night. They do not need to fear the arrows by day. They do not need to fear death by disease. God has called every believer to a divine destiny. The mature believer who is fulfilling God’s will is immortal until he completes the tasks which God has given him.
91:7 Though a thousand may fall beside you, and a multitude on your right side, it will not reach you.
If a believer who is fulfilling God’s will goes into battle, then many around him will fall to their death. The believer will be untouched. He is shielded by God. Many Christian soldiers who go into battle have claimed this verse.
91:8 Certainly you will see it with your very own eyes—you will see the wicked paid back.
Believers will see the wicked die all around them. As soon as an unbeliever fulfills Satan’s task, then Satan kills him and moves on to other evil tasks.
91:9 For you have taken refuge in the Lord, my shelter, the sovereign One.
Satan cannot take the life of a believer, unless God turns the believer over to Satan. The mature believer is completely protected by God. God is the refuge and shelter of the mature believer. God is sovereign, or in control, of all of history. Therefore, the mature believer is safe in God’s hands.
91:10 No harm will overtake you; no illness will come near your home.
Since God is the refuge and shield of the obedient believer, then no harm will overtake him. No illness will strike him down.
91:11 For (כִּ֣י מַ֭לְאָכָיו יְצַוֶּה־לָּ֑ךְ לִ֝שְׁמָרְךָ֗ בְּכָל־דְּרָכֶֽיךָ׃) he will order his angels to protect you in all you do.
The Hebrew for “in all you do” is בְּכָל־דְּרָכֶֽיךָ׃ (b-cal darek-ka), meaning “in all your ways.” Satan misquoted this verse when he tempted the Lord Jesus Christ. The devil left off “in all your ways.”
Every believer is protected by guardian angels who were appointed by God. Angels are in charge of believers, but they only protect the believers when they are fulfilling God’s purpose.
91:12 They will lift you up in their hands, so you will not slip and fall on a stone.
When obedient believers are executing God’s will, then angels will lift them up so that they do not slip and fall.
91:13 You will subdue a lion and a snake; you will trample underfoot a young lion and a serpent.
Obedient believers can subdue a lion and a snake, because they are protected by angels.
14 The Lord says, “Because he is devoted to me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he is loyal to me.
Notice that only “loyal” believers are protected by God. Loyal believers are those who study and apply Bible doctrine at the deepest level.
91:15 When he calls out to me, I will answer him. I will be with him when he is in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him honor.
When the obedient believer calls out to God, then God will answer him. If the obedient believer finds himself in trouble, then God will rescue him. The members of the satanic world system will attempt to dishonor and discredit an obedient believer, but God will bring the obedient believer back into honor.
91:16 I will satisfy him with long life, and will let him see my salvation.
The obedient believer will receive a long life, because he is fulfilling God’s purpose. Obedient believers will see salvation. The Hebrew word for salvation is יְשׁוּעָה (Yeshua), meaning Jesus. The obedient believer will see Jesus.
In conclusion, obedient believers are immortal until they complete the divine task which God has given them. Disobedient believers may commit the sin unto death and be brought home early.