Psalm 91:14-16 “I will set him on the high places.”
This Psalm has three things to communicate about this man of God, Firstly he knows God, Secondly he loves God, Thirdly, he calls on God. Therefore, God said that “I will rescue him, honor him and satisfy him with all the blessings and eternal life.”
Introduction to Psalm 91:
This psalm has no title, and therefore the author remains unknown. May be David because a few verses resemble PSALM 27, 31. May be extension of Moses because the theme of psalm 90 continues one. So it echos the Song of Moses found in Deuteronomy 32. (Derek Kidner).
A Sunday school student said three people are speaking.
a pastor speaks in verses 1, 3 - 8 and 9b - 13.
A man prays to God in verses 2 and 9a.
God speaks in verses 14 - 16.
“This psalm is one of the greatest possessions of the saints.” (G. Campbell Morgan). It’s a cheering Psalm. “It is more solid, more beautiful, more profound, or more ornamented.” (Charles Spurgeon).
It has the protection comfort and care (Psalm 91:1-2). The secret place of the Most High that is for everyone who puts his trust in Him.
“Every child of God looks towards the inner sanctuary and the mercy-seat, yet all do not dwell in the most holy place; they run to it at times, and enjoy occasional approaches, but they do not habitually reside in the mysterious presence.” (Spurgeon)
God keeps the righteous under His wings. He delivers from all dangers and evils. He is God of all seasons and places. He is Omnipotent, Omnipresence, and Omniscience. Therefore, God rescues, honours and satisfies.
He Knows God’s name- God will set him on high. (V.14).
There are 4 names for God in the first 2 verses of this psalm: Most High, Almighty, LORD and God. God is Most High: Elyon. Almighty: Shadday. The LORD: Yahweh, and My God: Elohay (Psalm 91:1-2).
Hebrew language is rich in content like our Tamil. This is what the words mean:
· Most High means that God is more important than anyone else.
· Almighty means that God is more powerful than anyone else.
· LORD means that he will never die.
· God means that he decides what will happen.
My God.
· My God is convert’s confession (Ruth, Ruth 1:16).
· My God is individual Christian’s belief (Thomas, John 20:28).
· My God is the declaration (Micaiah, 1 Kings 22:14).
· My God is the secret vow of consecration (Jacob, Genesis 32:28-30).
· My God is the deepest comfort (Jesus, Matthew 27:46).
· My God is the celebration of victory(Miriam, Exodus 15:21).
Knowing God’s name is coming closer to him, knowing his characteristics, the moods of God, the mercies, punishments. Knowing that He is the God of all seasons, all places – Omni in potency, in science, in presence(Ps. 139).
I will set him on high: “I will place him out of the reach of all his enemies. I will honour and ennoble him, because he hath known my name – because he has loved, honoured, and served me, and rendered me that worship which is my due. He has known me to be the God of infinite mercy and love.” (Clarke)
I will set him on high, out of the reach of trouble, above the stormy region, on a rock above the waves (Isaiah 33:16).
The word “dwell” used in this verse actually means, “to take up permanent residence in.”
He Loves God - God will deliver him(v.14),
The word for "love" used here is a Hebrew term implying delight or longing. The same term is seen in Deuteronomy 7:7 and 10:15 regarding God's approach. This sets a high standard. Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" (John 21:16), He used the highest Greek word for love, from the root agapao, a self-sacrificing love.
It is the kind of love God demonstrated by giving His Son as the sacrifice for our sins (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). Jesus affirmed that the greatest commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). Such love for God mirrors His love for His people. The apostle John noted this fact in 1 John 4:19: "We love because he first loved us."
Psalm 91:14 further identifies the person who loves God as one who knows the Lord's name. In other words, he has learned by experience that the Lord is good and perfect in all He is and does. How to Love God, Love is expressed by hugs, kisses, cares, gifts, praises, likes and sacrifices. If you love God, you can do everything for God – giving offertories, expressing his love to others. Living faithful to Him.
The result of the Love to God is the Deliverance from snare, noisome(v.3), he covers and shields(v.4), no evil befall(v.5), no plague(v.6), nothing can come near(v.7), no dashing, tread upon lion, adder(snakes). Angels carry you. He delivers, honors and satisfies the life.
The assurance of deliverance and the presence of God, his angels are repeatedly soured from verses 3-13 in this psalm. He lists the dangers of his days. Usually men pray in every religion when there is problem. The Sicknesses, debts, unemployment, issue-less are bringing us to the Lord. More problems more fasting, more prayer meetings, more crying at the feet of God. Our troubles are a part of everyday life.
He Calls upon God – God will answer him and honor him(v.15).
My problems, my needs, my situations are smaller than the greatness of God. Because he is the God greater than Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Goliath and etc.,. in today’s context he is greater than your enemy, your employer, your trouble maker. Nothing is impossible for him. The secret place and shadow of the most high(v.1). YHWH is the Refuge, Fortress, God, and Trust.
Webster defines trouble as something or someone who causes pain or discomfort; mental agitation; worry; harassment; etc.
One of the devil’s schemes is to cause trouble in our lives so we focus our minds on the trouble and not on God. Troubles can come from our own foolish decisions and wrong choices. When troubles happen because of wrong choices, we can humble ourselves and call out to God for help, and He will help us (see Hebrews 4:15-16 and James 4:6-8).
Bible and life stories are best examples for that. The kings, princesses, and believers always behaved in this manner.
Promises from God
"I will rescue him..." (deliver, cause to escape)
"I will protect him..." (set him on a high place)
"I will answer him..." (respond to, speak)
"I will be with him in trouble..." (in afflictions, in distress)
"I will deliver him..." (rescue, to bring into safety)
"and honor him..." (to make rich, strong, heavy with honor)
"With long life will I satisfy him..." (to have abundance in the journey)
"and show him my salvation." (let him see my deliverance & victory)
The promises which are here made, in God's name, to all those that do so in sincerity
They shall be taken under the peculiar care of Heaven (v. 1, 4), delivered from the malice of the powers of darkness (v. 3, 5, 6), and that by a distinguishing preservation (v. 7, 8), charge of the holy angels (v. 10-12), shall triumph over their enemies (v. 13), shall be the special favourites of God himself (v. 14-16). With Longevity of life (v.1)
What is longevity?
Man always want to live long, for many years. All the forefathers and the tribal heads lived for long. The shorter life is the curse on Human life. But can we say that in the NT period. In Christian history Many many believers, pastors, missionaries lost their life at their thirties and forties. Are they not blessed by God. How long is not important but how we live is more important.
