Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred thirty-three of our Trek.  The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Today, we reach the powerful conclusion of our journey through Psalm Ninety-one, one of the most magnificent and comforting psalms of protection in all of Scripture.  We are covering the final verses, nine through sixteen, in the New Living Translation.

In our last conversation, we explored the psalm's foundation, discovering that our security comes from dwelling in the "shelter of the Most High" and resting in the "shadow of the Almighty."  We learned that God's faithful promises are our armor, shielding us from terrors of the night and disasters of the day (Psalm Ninety-one, verses one through eight).

Now, the psalm moves from the human declaration of trust to the divine confirmation of that protection.  The focus shifts dramatically as God Himself speaks, revealing the profound results of such trust, detailing the role of His angels, and promising rescue, honor, and a long life as the reward for unwavering love.  This transition makes the promise absolute; it is a covenant guarantee spoken from the mouth of the Most High.

So, let us open our hearts to this divine dialogue, recognizing the immense power of the promise that awaits those who make the Lord their refuge.

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands to keep you from stumbling on a stone.

The psalmist begins this section by establishing the condition for the promised protection, a condition rooted in faith and intentionality: "If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter."

This is an active choice.  It’s not enough to intellectually acknowledge God; we must intentionally choose Him as our ultimate safe place, making the Most High  (‘Elyōn), the supreme, sovereign God, our permanent sanctuary.

The consequences of this choice are absolute: "no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home."  This promise of exemption is comprehensive.  "No evil"  (ra‘) and "no plague"  (nega‘, a striking or affliction) can breach the barrier of God’s protection.  This is the ultimate security guarantee against both moral catastrophe and physical disease.

The psalm then reveals the divine mechanism of this protection: the direct intervention of the Divine Council.  "For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go."  This is a powerful, supernatural assurance.  The Most High commands His celestial agents, the angels, to actively guard the faithful.

This aligns perfectly with the ancient understanding that God directs the Divine Council to execute His decrees in the world.  These powerful, unseen forces are dispatched to cover the believer, acting as God's security detail.

The angels' commitment to this task is detailed and intimate: "They will hold you up with their hands to keep you from stumbling on a stone."  They don't just stand guard; they actively intervene in the mundane dangers of daily life, lifting the believer over obstacles.  The smallest hazard—a mere "stone" on the path—is worthy of their attention.  This highlights the meticulous nature of God’s care, covering every aspect of the believer’s journey, from cosmic threats to common stumbles.

You will trample upon the lion and the cobra; you will crush the young lion and the serpent. The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me; I will protect those who trust in my name."

The psalm now assures the faithful of victory over the most formidable enemies, both literal and spiritual: "You will trample upon the lion and the cobra; you will crush the young lion and the serpent."

The lion and the young lion represent fierce, open, visible enemies—powerful attackers and physical threats.  The cobra and the serpent represent cunning, hidden, and venomous foes, often symbolizing spiritual evil and deception (linking to the enemy in the Garden of Eden).  This is a comprehensive promise of dominion over all levels of threat, assuring the believer that they will walk in triumph over the very forces that seek to devour and poison them.

The psalm then reaches its climax as God’s voice breaks in directly, affirming the promise with unparalleled certainty: "The Lord says, 'I will rescue those who love me; I will protect those who trust in my name.'"

This is the ultimate guarantee, straight from Yahweh Himself.  The promise is triggered by two conditions that reflect the believer's inner commitment: loving God and trusting His name.

The assurance is twofold: rescue  (nāṣal, to snatch away from danger) and protection  (sāgāḇ, to set securely on high).  God vows not only to pull the believer out of danger but to place them on a secure, elevated platform, far above the reach of their foes.

When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long, satisfying life and give them my salvation."

God’s direct promise culminates in a glorious, comprehensive reward that covers every aspect of the believer’s existence: communication, presence, vindication, and eternal security.

The first promise is uninterrupted access and presence: "When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble."  This is the assurance that our prayers will not go unanswered, a powerful contrast to the despair Heman expressed in Psalm Eighty-eight.  Furthermore, God vows to maintain His personal presence—"I will be with them"—even in the midst of "trouble"  (tsarâh).  We are never alone in our trials.

The reward for enduring faith is then declared: "I will rescue and honor them."  This is the ultimate vindication for a person facing shame or affliction.  God rescues them from danger and restores their dignity, granting them honor  (kāḇēd, to glorify or weigh down with splendor).

The final promise is the fullness of life, both temporal and eternal: "I will reward them with a long, satisfying life and give them my salvation."

God promises a "long, satisfying life"  (’ōreḵ yāmîm, length of days), fulfilling the ancient desire for longevity and fullness of days, which Moses himself prayed for in Psalm Ninety.  This life is not just long; it is satisfying  (sāḇa‘, to be satiated or filled).  The psalm concludes with the crowning assurance: God will give them His "salvation"  (yeshû‘â).  This is the comprehensive deliverance—rescue from immediate peril, vindication before enemies, and the eternal security of dwelling in the presence of the Most High.

Psalm Ninety-one concludes with the powerful, personal, and absolute guarantee that the Sovereign God will act decisively on behalf of those who choose to make Him their refuge.  Our security is secured by the oath of the Almighty Himself.

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Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.  As we take this Trek of life together, let us always: Live Abundantly...  Love Unconditionally...  Listen Intentionally...  Learn Continuously...  Lend to others Generously...  Lead with Integrity...  Leave a Living Legacy Each Day...

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to, ‘Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and, ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!