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.
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, withdraws 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.
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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.
Recommended additional reading
Psalm 91: Gods Umbrella of Protection
Do you want to have a deeper understanding of Psalm 91? If yes, this book by Peggy Ruth will surely help you see how this beautiful Psalm applies to you in the most personal way possible!
Becoming Christians 
Thanks, do have a wonderful Sabbath.
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Very awesome and inspiring. Thanks for sharing the light in the passage.
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You’re welcome Ade! 🙂
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What a joy and pleasure to learn about my favorite scripture in the Bible. Thank you for sharing Psalms 91!
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You’re welcome, Michelle. 🙂
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nice explanation, good work
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Thank you. Feel free to subscribe 🙂
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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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I am still not very clear on the term “Secret place”. What does the Bible really mean by “Secret place of the most High”?
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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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You are very correct, no one can mock God, He sees every hearth and know those who loves Him
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The secret place is our prayer room. In our prayer closet the time we spend alone with God – the more you spend time alone with him the more you dwell in his secret place – for those who have not seen the movie War Room please watch it- the prayer closet is the secret place
In His Service
Marisol
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PSALMS 91 : 1 is one of my favourite psalms in the old testament . Only if you agree that God is talking to you at the same time one read this vers .1.i Look at what the bible said.
He that DWELLETH in the SECRET place of the most HIGH..
The question the whole world need to know is ????
Are you in that SECRET DWELLING Place of the most HIGH or not ???
I believe that this is the first step each and every person need to do is ask God i mean pray . But remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6: 7 – 8
(7)
BUT WHEN YE PRAY, USE NOT VAIN REPETITIONS AS THE HEATHEN DO. FOR THEY THINK THAT THEY SHALL BE HEARD FOR THEIR MUCH SPEAKING.
(8)
BE NOT YE THEREFORE LIKE UNTO THEM :
” FOR YOUR FATHER ” “KNOWETH” WHAT THINGHS YE HAVE NEED OF,
“BEFORE YE ASK HIM”
SEE GOSPEL OF JOHN 14 : 1 – to – 14.
(1) Let not your heart be troubled , YE believe in God , believe also in me .
(2)
In my father’s house are many mansions : if it were not so,
I would have told you.
I go to prepare “a” “place” for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself;
That where I am, there YE “may be also”. Please read down up to verse 14.
If any one need more information of this SECRET DWELLING Place of the most HIGH. Please contact me below
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This is one of my favourite bible verses too . I think the Secret place is a place of prayer.
When we pray, we must find a closet evryday and communite with our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Good morning 😊 Thank you for the inspiration God bless you and your family
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You’re welcome and feel free to read other articles on this website. 🙂
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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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What a digestion of a wonderful verse of the Bible. This is the exact explanation I have been longing for. More grace
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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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This is so inspiring and encouraging, this is so deep, to really see what it mean to dwell in the secret place of the most high. Lord please help me to live my daily in your secret place where I can be protected and be at peace. Thanks for sharing this very thoughtful message. God bless you abundantly
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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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Wow good know this, thank you sir for your explanation, many people are confuse about this vers of psalm but with this explanation i have gotten the understanding of it, God bless you sir
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You’re most welcome. Feel free to subscribe to our website to get the latest updates. 🙂
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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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Hello to you all, I am
really blessed by your comments and have helped me to understand psalm 91:1 more. thank you all.
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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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PSALMS 91 : 1
Any one who read or hear this psalm 91 : 1 want to be in that SECRET DWELLING Place of the most HIGH .
The psalm says “HE” that dwelleth in the secret place of the most HIGH..
SEE the bible is talking about the people INSIDE that secret dwelling place of the most HIGH; not the one outside.
So what is said on artical THE OWNER OF THE SECRET PLACE , IS THE MOST HIGH right.
And it goes on and said.
THE SECRET PLACE IS GUARDED BY THE MOST POWERFUL , SUPREME, AND ALMIGHTY BEING.
And NO ONE CAN BREACH IT’S DEFENSES ABSOLUTELY NO ONE.
This mean that the outsiders will stay outside dreaming of that secret dwelling place .
And the insider will be enjoying all the preveliges provided by the most high.
Ok just to cut it short, this is my point.
In PSALMS 51 : 5 Behold I was sharpen in iniquity ;
And in Sin did my mother conceive me.
Roman 6 : 23
For the wages of sin is death ;
But the gift of God is eternal life
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now this means the outsiders are striving for a way out to dwell in God’s SECRET place .
The question is how and where to go ???
Because you said ,
No one can BREACH it defenses
Absolutely no one.
Thank you
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Hi Iowane,
Thanks for your comment.
When I mentioned that no one can breach God’s defenses, I meant that the enemies of God and His people won’t be able to conquer it.
The “He” in “He who dwells in the secret place” can be someone who choose to dwell with God, please God, and does His commandment.
You can’t force your way to God’s secret place. It has to be granted to you by our Father.
Regards,
Joshua
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Glory to God! “You can’t force your way to God’s secret place. It has to be granted to you by the Father.” I was waiting on tiptoe to hear this truth. AMEN! Thank you.
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The outsider are only welcome genuinely through Jesus Christ, because he is the way the truth and life . No one , absolutely no one can access that secret place except through Jesus Christ.
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Dwelling in the secret place of Psalm 91 (also see Psalms 27:5, 31:20), denotes nearness to God. Such as do so abide or lodge secure from assaults, howbeit, not from chastisement, and can well use the terms of trust in Psalms 91:2. “He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” We are protected from snares of our own making and the noisome pestilence; literally, “plagues of mischiefs” (Psalms 5:9, 52:7), which are expressive figures for various evils. As well as noisome pestilence, or diseases, literally, “plagues of mischiefs” (Psalms 5:9, 52:7), expressive figures for various evils. This means the pestilence that walks in darkness; and from the destruction that wastes at noonday.
The security is more valuable, as being special, and, therefore, evidently of God; and while ten thousand fall at our right hand, those that believe are in such safety that they realize it. This exemption from evil is the result of trust in God, who employs angels as ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:14) sent forth to minister to those that are heirs of salvation.
Verses 12-16 of Psalm 91 pertains to our Lord Jesus Christ, concerning His Father’s care of Him and His care of those that are His.
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Thanks for sharing your insight, Thomas. 🙂 I’ll be publishing your comment here for others to read as well.
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Thank you Joshua for expounding this truth of God’s protection .
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You’re welcome, David! 🙂
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Thanks for sharing. I’ve always recited Psalm 91 since I was young. but I’ve only just realised how deep it is. your exposition is very helpful. Thank you
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You’re welcome, Gabriel. 🙂
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Thank you Josh.
More grace in Jesus’ name and remain blessed.
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Thanks Lilian! You’re welcome and blessings to you as well. 🙂 Feel free to subscribe to get updates whenever we have new content. 🙂
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Good Evening, Josh,
I have been reading Psalm 91 everyday, ever since doing the Psalm 91 for 91 days challenge. It is wonderful to read of God’s love and protection for those who love Him.
Thank you for posting this, and God bless.
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Hi Di,
Thank you for your comment. I’m glad this blog has helped you in understanding better Psalm 91. Feel free to subscribe to our website and read other helpful articles as well. 🙂
Regards,
Joshua
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Good word Josh! Preparing for my message tomorrow. Will use some of your insight.
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Thanks Ricardo! I’m glad this was helpful. Praying that you had a wonderful message for your group. 🙂
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Awesome!
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Very inspiring 🤔🤔
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The outsider are only welcome genuinely through Jesus Christ, because he is the way the truth and life . No one , absolutely no one can access that secret place except through Jesus Christ.
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Thank you for breaking Psalms 91 down in this manner! I’ve never heard it explained so simplisticly. Excited to remain in the secret place 😊
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You’re welcome, Jessica. 🙂
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The secret place is located deep within us. it is derived from the spiritual heart. The secret place is the only place that we can truly connect with the Father. Plasm 91 is not a prayer. It is a conformation from the Father that those of us who confirm him every day shall receive the benefits of the proverb. Those who have lived a life of saying his name from within, every day, because we truly believe. The Father knows but waits. He waits to hear from all of us.The Christ told us! Search and you will find. Ask of the Father and it shall be given to you. Knock on the door of the Father and it shall be opened unto you! God Bless
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The secret place of the Most High is reserved for those who knows Him and puts Him first in their endeavours
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The secret place of the Most High is His protection, provision and caring
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I came looking for clarity to the meaning of this verse and I thank you for the thorough breakdown. I also think the secret place is referring to our mind, thoughts and whats in our hearts as those things are typically secret to others.
He who’s thoughts heart and mind is centered on God will ultimately act in accordance with God’s will, therefor he will have God’s protection and can rest in that truth.
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Psalm 91 is one of my favourite Psalms. My son flies in the mountains of Papua, the most dangerous place to fly. His plane supernaturally got bogged in the mud and if he had managed to take off they would have crashed into the mountains. His friend Phil has been taken captive by rebels in the same area. He is not a Christian (yet) but I am standing in the gap for him.
I am holding God to His Promises and standing firm on Psalm 91.
Thank you for your teaching.
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