People love to read Psalms 91, but it starts with a powerful statement that describes whom this psalm applies to. If you want to enjoy God’s protection like it was described in Psalms 91, then you must understand the deeper meaning of this powerful chapter!
Psalms 91 is among the most popular chapters in the book of Psalms. It starts with these words:
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High” (Psalms 91:1).
Most people are familiar with this verse. However, not all know the deep meaning behind it.
What does it really mean to dwell in the secret place of the Most High? What is its implication and how does it apply to our lives as Christians?
In this post, let us take a deeper look at the meaning of Psalms 91:1 and see what it really means to dwell in the secret place of the Most High.
Who will God protect?
Psalms 91 starts with the statement, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High.”
With this statement, Psalms 91 makes it clear right from the start whom God will protect.
God protects His people. He will protect those who choose to live with Him and act upon that decision.
While it is true that God can protect anyone whom He wishes, those who constantly live a life close to God will receive special treatment. They can live in peace, serenity, and security because of God’s assurance that they will be protected.
Now, notice, the text says, “He who dwells.” It didn’t say, “He who dwelt” or “He who will dwell.” It is in the present tense. God won’t protect those who stopped dwelling with Him or those who didn’t make the decision yet to be with Him.
It means that the one whom God will protect is someone who actively lives a godly life. The one who decided to be with Him and continues to be with Him.
The word “dwells” came from the Hebrew word yashab, which means to “sit down, settle, remain, and inhabit.”
As you can see, dwelling in God’s presence is a conscious choice. It is something that we decide to do, not out of necessity or grudge, but out of a willing heart.
Dwelling in the secret place of the Most High means that we constantly seek His love, comfort, and protection. God will protect those who want to know Him better and on a deeper level.
Compare that to those people who don’t live a godly life. They expose their lives to many dangers and unnecessary pain and suffering. People who live apart from God may prosper and earn wealth, but they will ultimately experience tragedy in a physical, emotional, and spiritual manner.
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The secret place
Where should the righteous dwell? He will dwell in the secret place.
Have you thought why?
God will not just shelter His people in the open court or to the part of the house where people can easily come and go. But God will shelter His people in the secret place – in a private and reserved place.
It would be a place where God, Himself, withdraw to be alone. God is willing to share with His people even the most private and exclusive part of His dwelling area.
Now, a “secret” place can also mean a difficult place to find. It is something that is not known to most people. The place is so hidden that it takes a lot of effort, energy, and sacrifice for a person to find it.
The secret place isn’t reserved for lazy, wicked, and apathetic people. It isn’t for the people who don’t see the value of being with their Creator. After all, would God allow someone to be part of His dwelling place if that person doesn’t even respect its Owner?
Thus, the righteous should exert every effort to find the place of refuge. While searching for this secret place can be difficult, you and I can be assured that once we found it, we can look back and tell ourselves, “It was all worth it.”
Sometimes, God wants to see how bad we wanted to be with Him.
God does not test us because He wants us to suffer or prevent us from obtaining eternal life, but He does that to help us develop the godly character needed to stay with Him through thick and thin.
In short: the secret place is reserved for those people who love God and do His commandments.
The owner of the secret place
Now, who owns the secret place?
The Most High!
This secret place is guarded by the most powerful, supreme, and almighty Being. No one can breach its defenses. Absolutely no one!
There’s no doubt; God’s secret place is the safest place in the universe!
Can you now see how God protects His people and how His people can live their lives with the incredible confidence in the fact that God shields them from harm?
Indeed, if you want someone to protect you, then let it be God.
Reflection
So, ask yourself these questions:
- Are you striving to dwell in God’s secret place?
- Are you constantly looking for ways to stay close to God?
- Do you have that yearning to be on God’s side every single moment of your life?
I hope your answer to these questions is yes and if not, then let us change the way we live. God is eager and is more than willing to take care of you. All you have to do is stay in God’s secret place and be at peace with Him.
Thanks, do have a wonderful Sabbath.
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I liked this blog, but when you came to your conclusion, “In short: the secret place is reserved for those people who love God,” I think that it lost its punch. Many will say they “love” God, but they don’t do what He says. Perhaps a little revision in this area would give it a dynamic punch.
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He said those who love God and not those who say they love God. That is the difference
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You see you can’t deceive your self by saying you love God while you ‘re not.
Any one who Love God will do what God says. Psalm 128:1 will clarify things to you. Those who do things which God speaks against ain’t a sign of Loving God k.
Those who love him ‘re those who obey him and do his will.
Thank you
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Definitely agree with you, Bernard. We can’t really love God without following His commandments.
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Really and truly I’ve taken a lot of notes and biblical understanding of this verse.. this is where I want to dwell forever Amen
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Definitely true, Eric. This is the best place to live. 🙂
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This was so enlightening, I was amazed how much that scripture really means. Thank you so much and God bless you
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That’s correct Denise. The Bible is just filled with golden nuggets waiting for us to discover. 🙂
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Truly this is the only place God meets His children and reveal His secret to them. Jesus always leaves His disciples to a secret place just to be with the father, even before choosing the twelve He was with the father throughout the night for direction, even to choose Judas, though He knew he will betray him.
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Hi George,
Thanks for leaving a comment. I totally agree with you. The secret place is a place to be with our Heavenly Father. 🙂
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Hi George,
I’ve always thought of the secret place of the most high as prayer. You mentioned Jesus was with the Father all night before choosing the 12. It was in prayer that He spent the night with the Father. “Dwelling” in that secret place may be unceasing prayer. As we go about the days business we can be thanking and praising Him as well as being aware of His glory as evidenced in the creation, (Isaiah 6:3 and Ps 19:1) as well as for our blessings and even our trials (James 1:2)
Richard
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Yes, I agree, it is through prayer as well that we get to access the dwelling and secret place of God. 🙂
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Beautiful explanation..! Very helpful for my study and understanding. Thank you so much.. 🙂
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Hi Raj,
I’m glad you find this article helpful. Feel free to check other blogs on this website. 🙂
Cheers,
Joshua
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This article is enlightening and very helpful to my understanding.
I just l to respect and obey the Lord for all these enormous provisions.
Thanks so much,
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This article is enlightening and very helpful to my understanding.
I just have to respect and obey the Lord for all these enormous provisions.
Thanks so much,
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Thank you Joel for dropping by! Feel free to read other blogs in this website. 🙂
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Amazing chapter i feel blessed on the deeper meaning of it.God bless you
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Thanks Peterson!
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His word is the secret place. If his word is in you then God himself abides In you.
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Amen Charms. I totally agree. It’s about saturating one’s mind and heart in the Word of God, irrespective of circumstances. I have witnessed it, even just yesterday, most recently. Chaos was looming in my environment, and all I did was tuck away into my Bible in meditation and not entertain the circumstances. Believe you me, the whole situation changed for good and other people were surprised at the unpredictable turn around, but I knew that it was a testimony of meditating on God’s Holy Word. Even secretly without other people knowing what you’re up to. Praise God forever more!
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I was asking repeatedly for the way into the secret place. No clear answer so far. I want it and need it badly.
Its a constant heart longing and meditation on those first two verses.
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Hi Peter,
I hope this blog somehow helped you find more answers to your question.
Cheers,
Joshua
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Peterjh, you PRAY (request it). Like, “Father, be my refuge and fortress. Do not let anything hurt me,” etc. But be sure you’re also seeking the Father’s righteousness and “everything else will be added unto you.” Otherwise, your spiritual life will continue to stagnate.
Happy trails.
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I really enjoyed this article. The secret place is both inside us and inside God. It is a place of meditation. It is also a place of obedience to the commands of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said that
John 14:20-21 New King James Version (NKJV)
20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
The “red letter” words that came directly from the mouth of Jesus Christ are his commands. To keep and obey them is from our love for him. We will then be loved back in return and Jesus Christ will manifest himself to us in that secret place of the Most High where he dwells. And where those who lovingly obey him also dwell.
Keep writing and sharing. I only discovered you today. I will be an avid reader of your posts from here on out, unless of course you turn out to be a false prophet. I will need to read your material to know. But for now, Bless you and peace unto you.
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Thanks for your comment, Sir 🙂
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thanks for the insight God bless
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You’re welcome, Pastor T. Feel free to read other articles on this website as well. 🙂
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SOLID INSIGHT BRO
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Thanks Manny 🙂
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