Dwelling in the Secret Place of the Most High, Psalm 91:1
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 (ESV)
A brief background to Psalm 91
Psalm 91 is one of the most cherished chapters in the Bible, it’s often referred to as the psalm of protection.
Although Psalm 91 does not explicitly name its author, tradition has often attributed it to Moses or David.
Its themes suggest it may have been written during a time of distress, such as war, pestilence, or persecution, reflecting the challenges faced by God’s people.
The psalm displays vivid metaphors such as a shelter, shadow, wings, and shield to communicate God's protective nature.
It addresses real life possible dangers such disease, war, predatory animals; and supernatural fears such as evil and demonic forces. This dual focus reflects the biblical worldview, where the physical and spiritual realms are interconnected.
The entire psalm speaks of God's protection, deliverance, and care for those who trust Him.
Verse 1 serves as the opening statement, setting the tone for the promises and assurances that follow. This verse alludes to an intimate and enduring relationship between the believer and God, implying that Dwelling in God's shelter is not a transient experience, but a permanent state of trust and dependence on God. This is exactly what the first words of Psalm 91:1 establishes.
Let us look at of the Key Phrases and Their Meanings in verse 1:
It starts by saying:
"He who dwells in the secret place…"
The word dwells here imply a continuous, intentional residence, not a temporary visit. It speaks of a close, habitual fellowship with God.
It means a continual, settled, and intentional living. The idea is that of abiding or remaining in a specific location.
Watch the conditional nature of the promise: “whoever dwells” or “He who dwells”, it highlights the necessity of a deliberate choice to seek God's presence and remain under His care.
Much like in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
It is only those who chose to believe or dwell in Jesus Christ who will have eternal life.
The same concept is found in Romans 10:13 which says:
“For whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Again, Salvation is for he who calls in the name of the Lord…
Notice too, that this dwelling is more than just physical proximity, it suggests faith in God's promises and a lifestyle that aligns with His will.
This verse invites us to intentionally dwell in God's presence, which is an active choice to seek and remain in communion with Him.
To dwell in the secret place reflects a spiritual posture of dependence, faith, and communion with God. And as mentioned before, this dwelling is not accidental, but a deliberate choice to live in close fellowship with God.
The secret place is symbol intimacy and protection.
It is a metaphor for a personal relationship with God, where one finds shelter from life’s storms.
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him, says Nahum 1:7
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" Psalm 34:8
The "secret place" signifies a deeply personal, spiritual communion with the Most High, a place of intimacy and safety away from the distractions of the world.
Those who abide with God are assured of His protective care, even in the midst of life's uncertainties.
The Verse continues by saying:
He who dwells in the presence of the Most High…
The word (or title) used to describe God at this point in the verse is "El Elyon," which is often translated as Most High.
This title emphasizes God’s supreme sovereignty and power over all creation. The verse therefore, implies that when one is dwelling with the Most High, it is literally aligning with the ultimate authority over all creation.
The terms "Most High" (El Elyon in Hebrew) emphasizes God's exalted position above all powers, while El Shaddai which is found towards the end of this verse, conveys God’s might and sufficiency to meet our every need.
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
This verse reminds us that God is intimately close to those who are hurting and in need. Psalm 34:18
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." Zephaniah 3:17
These verses beautifully portray God's personal involvement and love for His people.
The next sentence in this verse says the following:
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty…
To abide in this context means to remain or rest in God's presence, suggesting trust and confidence.
This verb to abide also denotes the idea of staying overnight or remaining, reinforcing the idea of enduring security and comfort.
In fact, this verse uses synonymous parallelism, which is a common feature in Hebrew poetry. In synonymous parallelism, the second line reinforces or restates the idea of the first line using different words or imagery.
"Dwells in the shelter of the Most High" is paralleled with "rests in the shadow of the Almighty."
Both lines describe a state of security and closeness to God.
"Shelter" and "shadow" are metaphorical, emphasizing protection and care.
"The Most High" and "the Almighty" are synonymous names for God, reinforcing His supreme power and authority.
This verse uses this poetic device to emphasize the comfort and safety found in God's presence.
"Under the shadow" symbolizes protection and refuge.
In the harsh Middle Eastern sun, a shadow represents relief and safety.
Shadow is Symbolic of God's protection and presence.
In the ancient Near East, shade was associated with refuge and relief from the harsh sun.
“Abiding under the shadow” thus evokes the image of a bird protecting its young under its wings.
The shadow of the Almighty indicates safety, comfort, and divine oversight. It conveys the idea that proximity to God ensures His covering and care.
Those who dwell in God's presence are under His care and shelter, signifying both physical and spiritual safety. Trusting in God as the "Most High" and "Almighty" reflects acknowledgment of His ultimate power and authority in every circumstance.
Christological Fulfilment
In the New Testament, this verse finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
Jesus embodies the “secret place” of God’s presence.
Through His life, death, and resurrection, we are invited to dwell in unbroken fellowship with God. As John 15:4 states: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."
In Conclusion
Psalm 91:1 challenges us to consider our dwelling place in God.
In a world filled with distractions and uncertainties, this verse offers an invitation to find security and peace in God’s presence.
Dwelling in the secret place involves prioritizing time with God, through prayer, meditation, and worship.
We are encouraged to rely on God's promise of refuge in the midst of life's challenges and uncertainties.
It is a profound declaration of the safety and intimacy available to those who choose to dwell in God’s presence.
As we embrace this truth, we will experience the abiding protection and peace of the Almighty.
This passage encourages trust, commitment, and reliance in God, assuring us that such trust leads to divine protection and peace.
