He Will Deliver – Psalm 91

Psalm 91 holds a unique place in interpretation of Scripture.  The psalmist certainly knew of believers who succumbed to pestilence, even as we know many believers who have succumbed to Covid-19, and not because they did not show faith, in fact, quite the opposite.  But if we understand such pestilence as a particular judgment from God, the psalm assures us that those who are believers will not meet tragedy in that judgment.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.  You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.  You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.

Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.  On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.  You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.  When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”  (Psalm 91 ESV)

When God is pouring out judgment on those who are evil it will not come near those who hold fast to Him in love.  Those who know His name will be rescued because they make Yahweh their shelter and fortress.  Like Israel during the plagues on Egypt, a thousand may fall at their left side and ten thousand at their right but the judgment will not affect them.  His angels will protect us and we will triumph over our enemies, whether people who are against us, or Satan’s army that motivates them.  God will rescue us and honor us.  This may be the assurance of those believers who go through the Great Tribulation and see the outpouring of God’s judgment on the earth.