Archive for November, 2004

Psalm 91:1 – “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

The Hebrew word here in Psalm 91:1 is Elyon, one of the Old Testament names for God. This name of God emphasizes his transcendence, that He is high above the world, exalted in the heavens. Sometimes new believers ask, “Is God in heaven, on a throne, or is He all around me wherever I go?” The answer, of course, is BOTH. This verse highlights this paradox, by using the name for God that refers to Him being in heaven on the throne in the first half, and the name that connotes God’s powerful working in the world around us in the second part.

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Psalm 91:1  - “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

SHELTER and HIDING PLACE – The Hebrew word here is seter, which means “hiding place” (1 Samuel 19:2; Isaiah 28:17; Song of Songs 2:14), or a “shelter,” as in Psalm 27:5, Psalm 31:20, Psalm 61:4; and Psalm 32:7.  It also can mean a  “secret place,” as in Psalm 139:15 (the womb), and simply “secrecy” in many other places.  This Work of the Holy Spirit remains hidden from the world, veiled from the enemy. Whis is where the treasures of the Lord are found, as we enjoy this place of intimacy with Him. In this wonderful place, God’s mysteries are uncovered (revelations/prophecies) before His servants.

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Psalm 91:1 - He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty

This verse has two halves with three words each in the original Hebrew.  This parallel structure, listed in columns above, is very common in Hebrew poetry.   Each word in the first half of the verse has a corresponding word in the second half to compare/contrast (this literary device is also seen throughout the book of Proverbs).   Note that in verse 1 & 2 of this Psalm, four different names for God are used: Elyon (Most High), Shaddai (Almighty, All-powerful); Yahweh (“I am” or the Lord); and Elohim (God).

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Psalm 91:1  - “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty…”

This verse has two halves with three words each in the original Hebrew.  This parallel structure, listed in columns below, is very common in Hebrew poetry.   Each word in the first half of the verse has a corresponding word in the second half to compare/contrast.  This study focuses on the second half of the verse.

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Psalm 91:1  - “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

THE SHADOW - It may surprise some people to learn that “shadow” is hardly ever used in the Bible to refer to something sinister or evil.  Rather, it was a place to get relief from the blasting heat of the Middle Eastern sun (sometimes necessary for survival).  The Psalms contain many references to the Lord’s keeping his servants in the “shadow of his wings,” etc. (including later in Psalm 91).  Isaiah 25:4 also speaks of this protection from exposure to the elements. 

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Acts 28:2-5 - The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.  Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects..,

Acts 28 records a story about the Apostle Paul being shipwrecked on the Island of Malta.  There is a prophetic meaning for us today behind the literal story itself.

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1 Samuel 11:2 – “But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel…”

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