Let’s enjoy all the good things given to those who trust. And in return? Let’s set our love on Him (Ps 91:14).
We now turn to the second half of Psalm 91 (vv 9-16). After a personal ratification of his trust in God (vv 1-2) and a practical exhortation for others to trust Him (vv 3-8), we now have a prophetic application of trust (vv 9-13). Strange as it may seem, this section was used by Satan as one of three tests put to the Lord after His baptism. “Because you have made the Lord,…even the Most High, your dwelling place” (v 9), why not take Jesus to Jerusalem, to the temple, to its highest point. Then he hissed, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone’” (Mt 4:6; Ps 91:11-12). In other words, show off! Imagine hurtling toward the stone platform before an aghast rush-hour crowd, only to be swept up in angels’ arms at the last minute! Interestingly, Satan failed to include the next verse, “You shall tread upon the lion…and the serpent you shall trample underfoot” (v 13). Hmm, I wonder why! You don’t suppose that roaring lion, that old serpent, didn’t want to be reminded that the very first prophecy concerning the Messiah was given to HIM! God said, “He shall bruise your head” (Gen 3:15). But what did Jesus quote from the pinnacle? “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God’” (Mt 4:7). As a reminder that Scripture always defeats the foe, Martin Luther wrote, “One little word shall fell him.” The psalm concludes with a promissory declaration by God to those who trust in Him. “I will deliver him…I will set him on high…I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him” (vv 14-16). How good to trust the Lord!