Psalms 89-94
(You Are My Refuge)
June 20th
Produced by The Listening for God Ministry
Copyright 2016
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Please refer to one or more Bible versions of your choice to read this section. We recommend that you read at least two versions for added understanding. For your convenience, we have provided six links below, each of which takes you directly to today's chapters in a specific version:
Bible Gateway
Key Verse
You who live in the shelter of the Most High, Summary of Chapters
This group of Psalms bridges the gap between books III and IV of the book of Psalms. The last one in Book III is a relatively long Psalm of praise and complaint that begins with a commitment from the author to praise God forever. The psalmist also notes that God had told David that he would establish his line forever.
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalms 92 and 93 speak praises to the LORD. In the 92nd Psalm the psalmist praises the work of God’s hands that has allowed for the righteous to flourish “like a palm tree” and “grow like a cedar of Lebanon (92:12- NIV).” The 93rd is a very brief statement honoring God for the eternalness of his throne, his mightiness and the firmness of his statutes. Reflection and Application
The model in Psalm 89 is instructive for us because the psalmist takes great care to establish the humility of his position before making any other observations. He pledges his loyalty, pledges the goodness of God and recounts what he has done.
Looking Ahead
Tomorrow's reading: Psalms 95-103 (Listen and Follow)
Psalms 89-94 (King James Version - KJV)
Psalms 89-94 (New Revised Standard Version - NRSV)
Psalms 89-94 (New International Version - NIV)
Psalms 89-94 (The Message - MSG)
US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Psalm 89 (New American Bible - NAB) (click the "next chapter" link on the site for chapters 90-94)
British Bible Society
Psalm 89 (Good News Bible - GNB) (click next for chapters 90-94)
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.”
- Psalm 91 1-2 (NRSV)
After praising God for many verses the psalmist makes his complaint regarding the ways that God has rejected and spurned David’s people. Unlike many of the other Psalms of petition, this one does not ask God to exercise specific punishment of the wicked. In fact, there is no direct request, just a list of grievances and a final verse of praise to close the chapter and book: “Praise to the LORD forever! Amen and Amen (89:52 - NIV)”
The first five chapters of the fourth book of Psalms include requests for favors, protection and judgment and Psalms dedicated to praise. Psalm 90 is attributed to Moses, “the man of God.” Moses praises God as an everlasting God who existed before the earth itself and who, because of his eternal nature, has a different perspective on time: For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by (90:4 - NIV).” Moses acknowledges that he and the Israelites have committed iniquities, and asks God to teach them how to make good use of their remaining time. He concludes by asking for the LORD’s favor and for him to “establish the work of our hands (90:17 - NIV).”
The 91st Psalm boldly declares that those in the shelter of the LORD will be protected from all types of danger:
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
- Psalm 91 (KJV)
The 94th Psalm is a complaint regarding the unpunished wicked people who are brutally oppressive and act as if the LORD cannot hear or see what they do. The Psalmist wraps up with a confident declaration that God will bring about justice for all.
Only after this period of adoration does he raise his concerns. Then, he leaves the problems up to God. How often do we dictate to God the solution that we want, as if we could micro-manage the ruler of the universe. Perhaps the best take away from this Psalm is to remind ourselves to present our problems to God and let him know that we trust that he will handle it in the best possible way.
The first Psalm in Book IV is notable as one of the few written by Moses. His observation about God’s perspective on time is one that we should write on our palms for future reference (as some speakers do with their notes). When we concur with some of the Psalms that God is too slow to fix our problems, we should remind ourselves that what seems like an eternity of suffering for us has only been a millisecond for God. Likewise, when we read in the Bible that God will come quickly to judge and vindicate, we should measure the quickness by his scale, not ours.
Psalm 91 has been a favorite of soldiers for generations. Many World War II soldiers carried it with them, including future president George W. Bush, who was a pilot. Bush crash landed in the Pacific and was miraculously rescued by a flotilla of ships (Bush said the ships were like angels who carried him). On June 9th 2010, the Wall Street Journal featured a photo of a solider in Afghanistan reading this Psalm to his buddy, who was injured and had requested the reading. This photo was featured on the front page of this business newspaper. You can click here to see the photo.
God is omniscient. Somehow, in ways we cannot comprehend, he can see and hear everything that all of us do. We can trust that he knows the plans of the wicked and knows when we follow him and when we don’t.
We confess to him anyway in order to humble ourselves and begin our restoration, but we need not hesitate to tell him in fear of his reaction because he already knows and is waiting for us to come to him.
In the first verse in Psalm 89 the author declares that he "will sing of the Lord’s great love forever." This verse became the refrain for a popular praise song titled, "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever." You can hear a rendition of it by the group called Delirious and read the lyrics by clicking the YouTube object below:
"I Could Sing of Your Love Forever," performed by Delirious
Questions and Prayers for Further Reflection
Related Questions
Recommended Prayer
God, we acknowledge you as the ultimate source of refuge. We know that you discipline us to help us avoid future troubles. Help us to spend time dwelling on your word in the Psalms and follow in your ways.
Suggested Prayer Concerns
Soldiers and Military Personnel defending their countries
Comments and Questions
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