The real meaning of Psalm 91 as revealed

Psalm 91 is more than just a passage of comfort; it is a covenant. To dwell in the shadow of the Almighty, as described in the first verse, means to live in alignment with God.

This alignment is crucial because when you dwell in someone’s shadow, it means the person is in front of you, and you are positioned behind them. A shadow stretches behind the person, covering the one who follows.

It does not cover the left or the right, emphasizing the importance of staying aligned directly with the one casting the shadow. In this way, the shadow of God symbolizes divine protection and alignment, covering your path as you follow Him.

The shadow you dwell in, as stated in Psalm 91, is the shadow of Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:9-10 tells us that Jesus was given a name above every other name, signifying His supremacy and authority.

As believers, dwelling in His shadow means we are under His protection and guidance. Our front is covered by His presence, and our back is secured because we are walking in alignment with Him.

The shadow only covers the front, but it’s the sides—where the shadow does not cover—that are of particular interest. Psalm 91 mentions that a thousand will fall at your left and ten thousand at your right, but none of it will come near you. The falling of these thousands can be seen as a representation of those who have gone out of alignment with God—those who are perishing.

This connects with the message in Joshua 1:7-8, where we are told not to look to the left or to the right, but to stay focused on God’s will. This is why those who are in alignment with God are not meant to be distracted by those who are perishing or failing.

When we talk about those falling to the left and right, we understand that anyone who is out of alignment with God is spiritually dead, and sin leads to death.

Therefore, those on the left and right in Psalm 91 can be viewed as representing sinners and those who have perished. As you walk in alignment with God, you will notice those falling around you, but you will remain untouched because you are in His shadow.

One powerful lesson from Psalm 91 is that no matter what comes your way, as long as you are aligned with God, you will overcome it.

Verses 12-13 speak of overcoming dangers such as lions and serpents, and this aligns with Romans 8:28, which assures us that all things work together for the good of those who love God. No matter how hard life becomes, those who are walking in God’s alignment will prevail.

The protection mentioned in Psalm 91 is not just from physical danger but also from the spiritual destruction that affects those who are out of alignment.

Psalm 91 expands upon the truth of John 3:16. While John 3:16 speaks of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, Psalm 91 illustrates the tangible, present protection that comes from walking in alignment with God.

The two passages share a common theme: God’s protection, deliverance, and salvation. In Psalm 91, we see that as long as we remain in alignment with God, no harm will come near us, even when others around us are experiencing destruction.

If you were to fall out of the shadow of God’s protection, it can only happen by falling by the wayside.

You can’t fall forward or backward, because as long as you are moving forward in alignment with God, you are following Jesus’ footsteps.

The wayside represents the dangerous distractions of sin, which can pull you away from God’s path.

However, as long as you remain in the shadow, even if you stumble, you will not lose your way. God’s protection remains with you, as long as you remain focused on Him.

The shadow you are following is Jesus. When you walk in someone’s shadow, you are following their footsteps, and you cannot walk in the shadow without walking in the same direction.

The shadow of Jesus leads you toward a destination—the perfect will of God, which is salvation. Psalm 91:16 promises long life and salvation to those who remain under His protection.

The ability to follow in Jesus’ footsteps doesn’t come from our own power. Zechariah 4:6 reminds us that it’s not by might or power but by God’s Spirit. It is through the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16), that we are enabled to walk in alignment with God and follow Jesus.

This alignment is the key to experiencing the fullness of God’s protection and guidance.

Salvation, in this context, is not just deliverance from harm but the fulfillment of God’s perfect will.

Following Jesus’ shadow means you are walking the path He set before you, and that path leads to salvation—eternal life and a restored relationship with God. As John 14:6 makes clear, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

The path is not just a set of instructions or a direction to follow; the path is a person—Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, Psalm 91 is not just a comforting promise of protection; it is an invitation to align your life with the will of God.

By dwelling in the shadow of Jesus, we follow His footsteps toward the fulfillment of God’s purpose for our lives.

The Gospel empowers us to live in this alignment, ensuring that we are not only protected but also walking in the way of salvation.

As we remain in the shadow of the Almighty, we are promised protection, victory, and the ultimate gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Righteousness or nothing; Perfection or nothing.