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The very first verse of this Psalm is filled with encouragement as it promises to the believer a special blessing if he will "dwell in the secret place of the Most High". Again in this Psalm the key New Testament word used by the Lord in John 15 is mentioned: "shall ABIDE under the shadow of the Almighty."

The word dwell is a synonym for abide and in essence the LORD is saying here he that abides in the secret place shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, both seem to be one and the same place. But, the Lord Jesus reveals that this safe haven, this covert of security, this 'shadow of the Almighty' is found in Christ Himself for He is the Secret Place, He is the Shadow of the Almighty.

He promises:
"If ye abide in Me and My Word abides in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you." (John 15:7)

If we dwell, if we remain, if we continue, and abide in fellowship, in constant communion with the Lover of our soul we will indeed be under the Shadow of the Almighty in His Secret Place which is found in the Lord Jesus Christ!

In (v.2-8) repeated statements and promises of safety and security are made to the child of God. Then in (v.9) the LORD again emphasizes the blessing of dwelling in Him by stating:
"Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the Most High thy habitation there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling" (Psalm 91:9).

He gives additional specific promises to those who make the LORD their 'habitation', their 'dwelling place', their place of abiding! This Psalm is definitely the Old Testament counterpart of John 15:1-8 providing the very habitat for the believer to utilize by faith in their everyday walk with the Lord!

Then He gives the specifics on how He will bring His promises to pass: "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt treat upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet." (Psalm 91:10-13)

In David's day the focus was upon the physical animals that threatened the lives of those who lived in the promised land. Today, the spiritual application must be made because of the words used to describe the enemy bring to mind the very arch-enemy of our souls Satan himself.

He is the lion that seeks to devour us, as I Peter 5:8 indicates. He is 'that old serpent' (Revelation 12:9) who deceives and he is 'the dragon' (Revelation 13:2) that empowers the end-times Antichrist. Although this Psalm initially applied to David's day it also looks ahead to the time when the child of God will be under the most severe of persecutions during the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21).

When Satan is cast down into the earth to pour out his 'great wrath' (Revelation 12:12) in that day, the saints will be martyred en-masse (Revelation 6:9-11, 12:10,11, 20:4) for the testimony of Jesus Christ and the precious Word of God!

This blessed Psalm ends with emphasis on great news. It focuses again upon the Lover of our soul by listing eight promises that God will accomplish for the obedient born-again believer. He clearly proclaims these powerful blessings upon those who continue to love Him throughout their afflictions:

"Because he has set his love upon Me,

1. Therefore will I deliver [Strong's #6403-rescue, cause to escape] him:
2. I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.
3. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him:
4. I will be with him in trouble;
5. I will deliver [Strong's #2502-with strength] him
6. And honor him.
7. With long life will I satisfy him,
8. And show him My salvation [deliverance]." (v.14-16)