The Relationship Aspect of Psalm 91: Dwelling With God
Are We Quoting Psalm 91 Without Dwelling With God? Psalm 91 is quoted whenever danger rises. We put it on social media, pray it over our families, and repeat its promises about pestilence, terror, and destruction. I believe those promises matter. But if we only reach for Psalm 91 as a spiritual shield while ignoring its relationship language, we miss the foundation of the entire psalm. The psalm begins, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Protection is not presented as a magic formula. The person under the shadow is the person who dwells. God is not looking for vain confidence from people who want His benefits while resisting His presence, correction, and lordship. What Does It Mean to Dwell in the Secret Place? To dwell means to remain, inhabit, and make a home. A visitor drops by occasionally; a dweller lives there. The secret place is not merely a physical prayer closet, although private prayer is important....