Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Dwells = (yashab) to dwell, to remain in place, to settle down here, abiding, continuing here in this place, inhabiting making your home here.
Shelter= (sithraw) hiding place, secret place, place of protection.
Abide= (loon) stay here permanently, live in this place, making your home here.
Shadow= (tsale) shade, shadow, protective presence.
Does this mean that he who dwells in the secret place that God has set up for us, or does it mean, he who dwells in God, who is our secret place? Like, I ran into my secret place-my closet. I think that this latter is the correct interpretation, because it makes sense. He who dwells in Yahweh (which is our place of refuge) will experience all of the following things. This interpretation is borne out further by verse 9
2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Who can say this but those who are actually dwelling and abiding in God, in our case, in Christ?
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. 9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place-- the Most High, who is my refuge
Dwelling place = (maw-een) home, abode, dwelling place, place of habitation.
This passage seems to reemphasize that the reader is making Yahweh his dwelling place, his home, his continuing and permanent place of residence.
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the Dragon you will trample underfoot.
14 "Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows My Name. 15 When he calls to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation."
Know = (yaw-daw) to become acquainted with through personal experience, to know through intimate contact.
A man will abide with God when he loves Him, when he loves God he will obey Him; this is the mark of one who REALLY loves God, in action through loving obedience, not in word only (Oh, I love God). When one's actions of obedience do not match his declaration of love for God, he is either a liar or he deceives himself, but he does not love God.
God says that because such a man loves Him, he will experience God's name, which is a covenant relationship with His covenant people. That covenant is only entered into by actions of loving obedience. God says that because a man loves Him, He will give Him salvation, so that he can continue in his loving relationship with God for all eternity.
Peace......er, Shalome!