A Tactical Advantage
For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! (Psalm 91:11–13)
Having predicted your success in battle against the attacks of the devil (Psalm 91:5–10), this Psalm continues with several commitments from the Lord. He has promised to give you a tactical advantage, which the songwriter enumerates in the final verses.
Assistance against Evil
God has promised to send angelic assistance when we face attacks from supernatural realms. It makes sense. Satan and the demons are supernatural beings—so are angels. We need supernatural help when dealing with supernatural enemies. In verses 11–13, the composer describes three specific activities of the angels on our behalf.
1. Angels are given “charge” of us (91:11). The term “charge” is from the Hebrew tzawa, which means “to appoint, install, give command of.” Other passages of Scripture suggest that the Lord has actually appointed angels—heavenly guardians—to give us aid when attacked by supernatural forces (Matthew 18:10; Acts 12:15).
2. Angels “guard” us in all our ways (91:11). The Hebrew word shamar means “to keep, watch over, observe, preserve, take care of.” Angels are overseers of God’s people. Like silent sentries, they stand guard over those who seek refuge in the Lord, preserving our steps.
3. Angels “bear you up” in their hands (91:12). The verb nasah actually means “to lift, to carry, take up.” When used figuratively in reference to a person, it means “to support, sustain.” In the context of Psalm 91, the angels see to your mental, emotional, and spiritual needs so that you will not be overwhelmed by the deception of the devil and his minions.
Security from Evil
For thirteen verses the songwriter has spoken directly to you. Now God speaks, committing Himself to six promises in response to your seeking refuge in Him.
- I will deliver him (91:14).
- I will set him securely on high (91:14).
- I will answer him (91:15).
- I will be with him in trouble (91:15).
- I will rescue him and honor him (91:15).
- I will satisfy him (91:16).
What a list of promises! From God’s mouth to the psalmist’s pen to your eyes. These are yours to claim. The Lord says that those who love Him and those who know Him have this secure hope in Him. The Hebrew term used for “love” is unusual and rare. Most often it is used with reference to “attaching something to something.” The Hebrew term includes the idea of attaching a saddle to a horse. It would be acceptable to render Psalm 91:14: “Because he clings affectionately to Me.”
Taken from Living the Psalms by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2012 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Worthy Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
