This psalm focuses on security in life, an idea present in Psalm 90. The writer knew that God provides security. It is a psalm for danger, exposure, or vulnerability.
God Himself is the One who is the believer's security. The unknown psalmist described Him as the Most High (Sovereign Ruler) and the Almighty (One having all power). Those who rely on Him find that He is a shelter from the storms of life and a shadowy place of security much like the area under a bird's wing. He is a refuge where we can run for safety in times of danger and a fortress that will provide defense against attacking foes.
91:3-8 God saves us from those who insidiously try to trap us and from deadly diseases. He does this as a mother bird does when it covers its young with its wings, namely tenderly and carefully. He provides as sure a defense as a shield or large rampart can.
Consequently the believer can be at peace and not fear attacks at any time (vv. 5-6). Those who fall by our side (v. 7) are those who do not trust in the Lord. The believer is invincible until his or her time is up. We will see the wicked fall around us, but God will sustain us. Nothing can touch us but what He permits, nor can any rebel escape His retribution (v. 8).
91:9-13 Those who trust in the Lord can rely on His protection. He will commission angels to watch over and protect His own. This is one of the passages in Scripture that reveals the existence and activity of "guardian angels"(cf. Matt. 18:10). The writer was using hyperbole when he wrote that the believer will not even stub his or her toe (v. 12). Verse 13 also seems to be hyperbolic. It pictures our overcoming dangerous animals. God has given some believers this kind of protection occasionally (e.g., Dan. 6; Acts 28:3-6), but the writer's point was that God will protect His people from all kinds of dangers.
Satan quoted verses 11 and 12 when he tempted Jesus Christ in the wilderness (Matt. 4:6). He urged Him to interpret this promise literally. However, Jesus declined to tempt God by deliberately putting Himself in a dangerous situation to see if God would miraculously deliver Him.
Jesus referred to verse 13 when He sent the disciples out on a preaching mission (Luke 10:19). Again it seems clear that His intention was to assure the disciples that God would take care of them. He was not encouraging them to put their lives in danger deliberately.
The writer recorded God's promise to deliver those who know and love Him. He will answer the cries for help that His people voice eventually (cf. Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:13). He will not abandon them in their distresses (cf. Josh. 1:9; Matt. 28:20). The promises of rescue and honor normally find fulfillment in this life, but they always do the other side of the grave. God normally blesses people who follow His will by allowing them to live longer. This was a special blessing under the Mosaic Law. Furthermore God promised the godly the satisfaction of seeing His deliverance.
How can we explain the fact that God has apparently not honored these promises consistently? Some godly people have died young, for example. Others have perished at the hands of their enemies as was true of the five missionaries to the Auca Indians in South America. Does this indicate that God is unfaithful and His promises are unreliable? If we view life as extending beyond the grave as it does, we should have no trouble with these promises. God will grant ultimate deliverance to His own even if He allows them to suffer and die at the hands of enemies in this life. Even those who die young have eternal life.
