1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. (Psalm 91:1-8, ESV)
One of the most famous historical Army divisions is the WWI 91st infantry division, which became affectionately known as the “Wild West Division.” Under the leadership of Major General H. A. Greene, the young men from eight western states, with a fir tree as their insignia, set out on July 6, 1918, to cross the ocean and land at La Havre, France. It would not be long before these men would take on the Meuse-Argon offensive, then through Belgium, and the Ypres-Lys offensive.[1]
There is a story about this brigade that before they began their mission, a Brigade commander gave his men a little card with Psalm 91 on it—Psalm 91 for the 91st brigade. The men agreed to recite this daily. And the story goes that when they started praying this prayer, they were involved in three of the bloodiest battles in WWI. However, they did not have any casualties, whereas the other brigades suffered as much as ninety percent. No one knows if this story is true or a legend associated with one of the greatest brigades in military history, but it does prove the impact of Psalm 91 upon many lives.
I have been told that Psalm 91 has been placed on a soldier’s dog tags. I know of others not in the military who looked to Psalm 91 before they went into surgery. And then there are the athletes who love to meditate upon it before a big competition.
Psalm 91 is comforting. The Psalmist reminds us that whatever we face in life, God is with us. G Campbell Morgan says of the Psalm, “This psalm is one of the greatest possessions of the saints.” And CH Spurgeon notes, “In the whole collection there is not a more cheering Psalm, its tone is elevated and sustained throughout, faith is at its best, and speaks nobly.” What makes this Psalm so encouraging for many, even those who serve in the military?
First, it is a Psalm of assurance—an assurance of Yahweh’s protection, comfort, and care. The first two verses remind us that God has a secret place of his own, a dwelling place (c.f. Ps 27:5 and 31:20). Those who dwell there abides under the shadow of the Almighty. It is here that the believer finds the most impenetrable security. Some Christians find this idea mystical or only for the super-spiritual believers. However, the warriors like David understands what he means. They are acquainted with the great nearness of the shadow of the Almighty.
When one experiences the nearness of Yahweh, they live intimately with Him. When one lives intimately with Him, they know the greatness of His protection; He is my refuge and my protection. Notice an important implication. God does not provide protection. God is protection. I tell my kids, “remember, whenever you face daunting battles, do not seek refuge in the miracles or blessings of God. Run to God. Go straightway to the Source. Do not pass pass go and do not collect $200. Run to the Fountain whose wings (pinions) will cover you and who will deliver you.”
I do not have the space to exposit all of the metaphors of Psalm 91:1-8. However, I do want to point out the use of the singular you throughout this section. Most often the Psalms directs our corporate “togetherness” as God’s covenant people. They show our standing as His Bride, the Church, and the one-anotherness we have, especially considering our union with Christ our Head and King (c.f Gal 2:20, 1 Cor. 6:17, Phil 2:5, Eph 1:22-23; Matt 2:6, Phil 2:9-11, Rev 19:16). Yet in this section the Psalmist is saying these truths are for each person individually. They are for you if you completely trust in God. The implication is that as much as God’s covenant is for His people, it extends to each person that makes up His people. It is for the sheep (plural) that hear His voice, and for the sheep (singular) that hear His voice. His deliverance is yours and His faithfulness as a shield and buckler (something wrapped around a person for protection, like armor) are yours, as well.
Believer, take note of the lapidary results found in the final portion of our passage. As God is with you, there is no need to be afraid. God as your refuge gives you strength and courage. Our trust in Him keeps us from falling into a pit where we find ourselves stuck in fear and despair. No, the Psalmist directs us to look with our eyes at His truth that only His people are preserved.
I am not a veteran. However, I hold those who are veterans and those who now serve our great country in all branches of the armed forces in high esteem. I have family who have passed to glory, retired, and now serve in all these branches. So, Veterans’ Day, along with Memorial Day, are special days for me. Our family usually line our sidewalks and driveway with little American flags and discuss what these holidays mean to us. We did not do it this year because there is a big storm passing through and I did not want them to blow away. However, we will remember and say once again to those we meet, “thank you for your service.”
Maybe those who were in the WWI “Wild West Division” prayed this Psalm every day. Maybe God kept their division from suffering one casualty. However, the most important lesson of Psalm 91 to remember is not the superstition of the Psalm’s protection but the object of who the Psalm tells us is our protection—God. His protection is only for those who trust Him; who place their faith in Him alone; who run to Him when the battle is before them, darkness surrounds them, and the arrows of wickedness are wizzing past their head.
In honor of our veterans, especially those who are with our Lord, I close with the last lines of Walt Whitman’s “Dirge for Two Veterans”:
The moon gives you light,
And the bugles and the drums give you music,
And my heart, O my soldiers, my veterans,
My heart gives you love.[2]
[1] The Grayson County Heritage Foundation. https://www.newrivernotes.com/91st-division-world-war-i. Accessed on 11/10/2022 at 9:30 am.
[2] Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass: Inclusive Edition, ed. Emory Holloway (Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1926), 263-264.
Andrews PCA 