Psalm 91
King James Version (KJV)
1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psalm 91
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Whatever version of the Bible we may use to read Psalm 91, it is important to know that in the original Hebrew the psalmist uses four names for God in these two verses. The four names for God have much to teach us about our secret place where we find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
The psalmist uses the name Elyon, the Lord who possesses heaven and earth. The possessor of all things, this is the God who is our shelter, our refuge, our fortress.
He uses the name Shaddai, the Almighty, the Provider. The One who meets all of our needs.
He speaks of Jehovah or Yahweh, the One who is in covenant relationship with His people. The One Who initiated and maintains covenant relationship with His people. This speaks of promise. Jehovah is the Promise Keeping God.
The fourth name used for God in these verses is Elohim. This name for God is used twenty-seven hundred times in the Bible. It is first used to speak of the God of creation. Elohim spoke and created something out of nothing. The name Elhoim speaks of power. He is the All Powerful God.
Elyon, Shaddai, Jehovah, Elohim this is the God in whom we dwell. He is our secret place. He is the One in whom we abide, take refuge, find shelter and provision. He is the One in Whom we shall find rest as we trust in Him.
