Examine Yourselves as to Whether You Are in the Faith - updated, The Christian's Craving for God's Word - MacArthur, Sproul, Piper, Washer, Chan. However, when Elohim refers to Yahweh, that is called the intensive plural or the majestic plural, acknowledging that all that constitutes deity is summed in Yahweh. 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. On their hands they will bear you up,lest you strike your foot against a stone. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. However, when I was a child in the 1940s and 50s, before the polio vaccine became available, I had friends who had suffered from polio. A good read. That he will, in the mean time, be with them in trouble, v. 15. Such a message is timeless. In this study, Dr. MacArthur examines the book of Psalms and reveals how the hymns it contains points to an all-powerful God who is to be respected, worshiped, and praised for his loving care of his peopleand to whom we can turn to help in times of need. lin) in the shadow (Hebrew: sel) of the Almighty (v. 1b). However, we are familiar with traps of other kinds: Spam callers try to get us to get us to reveal our credit card numbers. - 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? What the promises are which God makes to the saints. 2. Some of the most powerful evidence that proves Jesus to be Whom he claimed to be is found in the historical fulfillment of the prophsies He foretold in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 a.d. The Hebrew word sel means shadow of shade. Nay, not thy person only, but thy dwelling, shall be taken under the divine protection: There shall no plague come nigh that, nothing to do thee or thine any damage." You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. When multitudes die round about us, though thereby we must be awakened to prepare for our own death, yet we must not be afraid with any amazement, nor make ourselves subject to bondage, as many do all their life-time, through fear of death, Heb 2 15. In verses 1-2, the psalmist uses four names for God: The Most High (Hebrew: elyon). 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. There is even the unseen threat of pestilence that seeks their victims under the cover of darkness. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. This psalm is a powerful chapter when a believer is in a time of crisis. Take a look at another study and commentary: 6 Important Reasons To Bring Hidden Hurts To God For Healing, 7 Sample Prayers Before Surgery or a Medical Procedure, 25 Encouraging Bible Verses About Strength, Words of Encouragement: 30 Uplifting Quotes, Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Relationships: The Role of Gods Grace and Mercy, The Trinitarian Nature of Effectual Calling, Why So Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen, Christian Dating: A Guide to Navigating Relationships with Faith, Ice Dragon: Legend of the Blue Daisies Movie Review, Phoenix Wilder And The Great Elephant Adventure Movie Review, The Boxcar Children: Surprise Island Movie Review. i. I will be with him: So, no man need add solitude to sadness, but may have God sitting with him, like Jobs friends, waiting to comfort him with true comfort. (Maclaren), ii. The World English Bible is based on the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, the Biblia Hebraica Stutgartensa Old Testament, and the Greek Majority Text New Testament. Yahweh is the psalmists manseh (refuge or shelter). . All Rights Reserved. Historically, more soldiers have died from disease than from swords, spears, and bullets. - 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. It would have served Israel well during Davids reign, when Israel was beset by many enemies. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. If you dwell there, you are invincible, invulnerable, infinitely secure. His wings and his feathers suggest both power and softness. - Oscar Cullmann, Immortality or Resurrection? - Herman Hanko, Problems and Limitations of the Traditional "Sermon" Concept, Quitting Church: Why the Faithful Are Fleeing - Ingrid Schlueter, Should One Man Be The Dominant, Focal-Point Of A Church Service. The one who abides in the shelter or under the protection of the Most High God has a shadow over him or her, much like Gods providing the cloud of glory that protected Israel in her wanderings in the wilderness from the scorching sun and like a fortress, He will deliver those who face the snare or trap or the threat of a deadly pestilence or disease. God hides not his people in a casing of iron; their shelter is stronger than iron, yet it is soft as the downy wings of a bird for ease and comfort. II. HELL: 1. One is that often God amazingly delivers them physically when others around them are falling. By natural instinct she not only protects them, but calls them under that protection when she sees them in danger, not only keeps them safe, but cherishes them and keeps them warm. We ought to think more of the saint and the dragon. God puts honour upon us, poor dishonourable worms that we are. I am one of those. But he is confident that Yahweh will deliver him from plagues and pestilence, because he dwells in the secret place of the Most High.. Ought the Church to Pray for Revival? The Hebrew word sadday means almighty or the Almighty. Psalms 91:10-11. Thanks for stopping by! Yahwehs truth is large and sturdy enough to absorb violent blows. We need both kinds of protection, because Satan sometimes attacks us in a frontal assault, but also comes at us from unexpected quarters. God loves each of us as if there were only one of us"- Augustine. Why is the church losing its young people? They shall be taken under the peculiar care of Heaven, ver 1, 4. Note, 1. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. Used by permission. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. El means god (note the small g), and can be used for any god. Today they have to watch for IEDs. where is thy sting? We owe it, more than we are sensible, to the care of the divine Providence that we have been kept from infectious diseases and out of the hands of the wicked and unreasonable. The noun sem (name) means name or reputation or fame. Here is great security promised to believers in the midst of this danger: "Thou shalt not be afraid. Here we read about thousands falling to the left and to the right as in the day when Israel battled ancient nationsthe land would be scattered with dead bodies so those who read this at the time it was written had a good idea what this meant. ), which the WEB has updated. The Believer's Covenant Psalm 91 can also be referred to as the constitution of the Kingdom. However, as noted in these verses, daylight often ushers in daily battles, whether with spear and sword or pen and PowerPointso we feel vulnerable by night or by day. They shall think it long enough; for God by his grace shall wean them from the world and make them willing to leave it. 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. 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,and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. But he that has his treasure and heart in another world has soon enough of this; he would not live always. 9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befal thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. They shall be delivered from the malice of the powers of darkness (ver 3, 5, 6), and that by a distinguishing preservation, ver 7, 8. Since the UK is now no longer a member of the EU, you may be charged an import tax on this item by the customs authorities in your country of residence, which is beyond our control. There has even been protection from the wild predators, snakes, spiders, and a multitude of various other dangerous insects and animals that many have experienced receiving protection from, like Paul when he was bitten by a poisonous snake and should have died (Acts 28:3-5). "Nothing can ultimately hurt me." If Christ's life is the interpretive lens through which we read Psalm 91, then the promises of protection found in that psalm must have something to do with resurrection. They shall triumph over their enemies, ver 13. Popular media today portray angels as lovely, delicate, and feminine, but Biblical writers either cite masculine names for angels or give no clue to their gender. Because we dont want you to incur expenditure for which you are not prepared, could you please confirm whether you are willing to pay this charge, if necessary? Globally, we are faced with wars and rumors of warplagues and pestilenceenemies equipped with the Bombtyrants and corrupt politiciansa world changing so rapidly that it makes our heads spinand a host of other problems. They are such as call upon him, as by prayer keep up a constant correspondence with him, and in every difficult case refer themselves to him. ), Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), Mounce, William D., (ed. That believers shall be kept from those mischiefs which they are in imminent danger of, and which would be fatal to them (v. 3), from the snare of the fowler, which is laid unseen and catches the unwary prey on a sudden, and from the noisome pestilence, which seizes men unawares and against which there is no guard. They are such as know God's name. Champions of Conditional Immortality in History, Conditional Immortality - Its Relation to Final Retribution, Conditional Immortality - Samuel M. Ohmart, Fallacies In The Annihilationism Debate: A Critique Of Robert Peterson, Important Forgotten History - Roots of Opposition to Conditionalism, Life in Christ - A Summary of Conditional Immortality, Summing Up the Case for Biblical Conditionalism - Froom, The Hypothesis of Conditional Immortality - William R. Huntington - 1878, Why I Believe In Conditional Immortality - by Sidney A. Hatch, Death and the Afterlife by Robert A. Morey - A Review by Edward Fudge, Martin Luther & William Tyndale On the State of the Dead, Near Death Experiences - Samuele Bacchiocchi. 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). Many people have told me that only the supernatural intervention by angels commanded by God could explain certain miraculous situations that they were involved with, some having their lives being spared. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. 6 nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, 14 Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him. That he will not only keep them from evil, but from the fear of evil, v. 5, 6. The Life-Giving Shepherd (John 10:1-11) Pastor John MacArthur. God by his grace will keep thee from disquieting distrustful fear (that fear which hath torment) in the midst of the greatest dangers. Take a look at another study and commentary: Psalm 27. Yet the Church, for the most part, has allowed it to go unnoticed. I will be with him in trouble; Whatever that trouble is, I will be with him in it. The completed registration allows us to send order and donation receipts to the email address you provided. ", Counterfeit Cross - Bear or Burn: The Fruit of Obedience in the Parables of Christ - updated, Counterfeit Cross - What is a "Carnal Christian"? That famous old Puritan, holy Mr. Dodd, having to cross a river, had to change from one boat into another, and being little used to the water, he fell in, and, when he was pulled out, in his simplicity and wisdom he said, I hope that I am in my way. That was the only question that seemed to trouble him. Hardcover. Can any comfort be surer? - Richard A. Wiedenheft, Immortality - The Gift Of God Through Faith In Jesus The Christ, Immortality or Resurrection of the Dead? It would have served them well during the Babylonian Exile, when only the eyes of faith could see the possibility that they would ever again see Jerusalem. Some of them are speedily taken home; still this text is, as a rule, literally fulfilled, With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. He shall see Gods salvation even here; and when he dies, and wakes up in the likeness of his Lord, he will see it to the full. The word elyon is usually translated Most High, and is usually used for God. Help Grace to You bring important resources like this to people in your community and beyond, free of charge. By far the most common name for God in the Old Testament is Yahweh, which means I am who I am (Exodus 3:14)but elohim is the next most common. Viewing things from God's vantage point--that is true comfort. 1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. Naught shall strike thee with dismay, Fear by night, nor shaft by day." Verse 7. Dec. 18, 2022. Being under His wings and in His fortress and Him as the refuge, the fear evaporates during the terror at night,noon, or any part of the day. O death! It is the character of a true believer that he dwells in the secret place of the Most High; he is at home in God, returns to God, and reposes in him as his rest; he acquaints himself with inward religion, and makes heart-work of the service of God, worships within the veil, and loves to be alone with God, to converse with him in solitude. Gender Revolution - What are they teaching your kids? Please respond to confirm your registration. 1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalms 91:4. The important thing is not the place but that we meet the Most High there. Yes; and he rewards that knowledge: I will set him on high.. It is the privilege and comfort of those that do so that they abide under the shadow of the Almighty; he shelters them, and comes between them and every thing that would annoy them, whether storm or sunshine. Who would wish to live a day longer than God has some work to do, either by him or upon him? There are some who come to Gods house; but the man mentioned here dwells with the God of the house. He will deliver those people. There being no reason to question his sufficiency, fitly does it follow, In him will I trust. 45MBC. - F. F. Bruce. They are able to bear up the saints out of the reach of danger, and they do it with all the tenderness and affection wherewith the nurse carries the little child about in her arms; it speaks us helpless and them helpful. Dale Kuiper, The Christian and the Mosaic Law - Philip Mauro, The Preciousness of Time and the Importance of Redeeming It. 2 I will say of Yahweh, He is my refuge and my fortress; Hebrews 6:4-8 on Apostasy - neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. Individually, we are faced with financial challengesfears of losing a job or finding ourselves unable to compete in a rapidly changing worldchildren gone astrayaddictionsillnessdeath (our own or that of loved ones). 4 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996), Ross, Allen P., A Commentary on the Psalms, 90-150, Vol. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. Fifteen Words of Hope 2 Corinthians 5:21 Be Part of the Family Psalm 91, Jack Wellman is a father and grandfather and a Christian author and pastor of Heritage Evangelical Free Church in Udall, KS [https://modelchrist.org/] & also a Prison Minister. II. Wishlist +. Jan. 1, 2023. Is My Church Really A New Testament Church? Whatever is done our heavenly Father's will is done; and we have no reason to be afraid of that. There are some who worship in the outer court of the temple; but he that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High lives in the Holy of Holies; he draws near to the mercy-seat, and keeps there; he walks in the light, as God is in the light; he is not one who is sometimes on and sometimes off, a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home, he dwells in the secret place of the most High. Children and the Rod of Correction - Dave Miller, Ph.D. Christian Practice - Evidence of Grace - Edwards, Meditating On The Future Life - John Calvin w/ audio, Others May, You Cannot - by G. D. Watson w/audio, The Bible Doctrine of the Separated Life - by Johannes G. Vos, The Christian and Entertainment - Rev. GOD IS MY REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS. I am old, and expect to die within a few years. Of course He did. Some churches today cite Mark 16:17-18; Luke 10:19; and Acts 28:1-6 to justify the handling of deadly snakes as part of their worshipand some people die while doing that. His truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Muggers would hide in recessed doorways and whack people whom they could reach easily. Psalms 91:15. All rights reserved. Psalms 91:4. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Psalms 91:16. But observe the extent of the promise; it is to keep thee in all thy ways: even where there is no apparent danger yet we need it, and where there is the most imminent danger we shall have it. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. I will honour him; those are truly honourable whom God puts honour upon by taking them into covenant and communion with himself and designing them for his kingdom and glory, John 12 26. This verse repeats the idea of verse 1b, but with different imagery. 91:10 There shall no [nothing comes our way God has either not decreed or not allowed] evil [that which is the opposite of good; any misfortune] befall thee, neither shall any plague [refers to some physical blow; general term for plague] come nigh thy dwelling. 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, Psalm 91 appears to be a psalm in the setting of warfare with threats of an imminent battle that is about to, has or is currently taking place between solders that may be facing impossible odds. The Almighty (Hebrew: sadday). That the powers of darkness shall be triumphed over by them (v. 13): Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder. The Immortality of the Soul: A Protest - Joseph Agar Beet D.D. to guard you in all your ways. Jesus countered, Again, it is written, You shall not test the Lord, your God.'. Watch over him today. and ten thousand at your right hand; (2.) He will cover you with his feathers. Psalms 91:4. Under his wings you will take refuge (v. 4ab). Wherever the saints go the angels are charged with them, as the servants are with the children. 91:1, 4. Observe, 1. but it will not come near you. It also means preparing, to include equipping for war. The Nature of Man - Dualistic or Holistic? 14b (Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), Limburg, James, Westminster Bible Companion: Psalms (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2000, Mays, James Luther, Interpretation: Psalms (Louisville: John Knox, 1994), McCann, J. Clinton, Jr., The New Interpreters Bible: The Book of Psalms, Vol. Again at the end of day. Eternal Torment or Complete Annihilation? Cobras and serpents serve as a metaphor for smaller but equally deadly forces that appear suddenly, seemingly from nowhere. : A Closer Look At A Popular Tradition, Audio of "Church Leaders and the Use of Honorific Titles", The Nativity Story - Download A 16min Edited Version for Christmas, Binding and Loosing (Matthew 16:19) - w/audio, What does "God blesses those who bless Israel really mean? Some suffered mild impairment but others suffered catastrophic impairment. Find out how you can be at peace with God for eternity as John MacArthur shows you fifteen words that sum up the most powerful truth in all of Scripture. But in these words, the psalmist is quoting Yahweh, who would help his people to develop a strong belief in eternal life. Bible Study, It goes beyond head-knowledge to heart-knowledge. The psalmist assures believers of divine protection, from his own experience; and that which he says is the word of God, and what we may rely upon. My God: Elohay. 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." I will deliver him, and honor him. I will deliver him, and honour him. "He, his shadowy plumes outspread. Psalms 91:3. However, now we begin to hear from Yahweh directly. When the child is in perfect health she can leave it in the hands of the nurse; but when it is sick she will attend it herself; she will say to the nurse, You may attend a while to some other business, I will watch over the child myself. (Dawson, cited in Spurgeon), (c) 2020 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik ewm@enduringword.com.