Last week I looked at Psalm 91 and the Devil’s misuse of
verses 11-12 in his temptation of Jesus.
We saw how the context of the entire psalm moves us to trust God—not put
him to the test.
It is also helpful to consider how Psalm 91.13-16 is fulfilled
by Jesus Christ. These verses are
fulfilled not in temporal deliverance from death but by the resurrection from
the dead and the exaltation to the Father’s right hand. Consider the following (perhaps use
these passages as part of your devotional reading this week):
13You will
tread upon the lion and cobra, the young lion and the serpent you will trample
down.
·
Consider the “lion” and “serpent” imagery as
used in the New Testament for the Devil: 2 Corinthians 11.3; 1 Peter 5.8
·
Christ “tramples” them at the cross: John 12.31;
Colossians 2.15; Hebrews 2.14-15
14Because
he has loved me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high,
because he has known my name.
·
Christ is delivered from death by the
resurrection: Acts 2.31-32
·
The Father sets Christ “securely on high” in the
ascension: Acts 2.33-36
15He will
call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will
rescue him and honor him.
·
Hebrews 5.7 speaks of how Jesus cried out with
tears “to the One able to save him from death and he was heard…”
·
The Father saved his Son not from death but through death—through the resurrection
from the dead.
16With a
long life I will satisfy him and let him see my salvation.
·
Hebrews 7.24 says, “but Jesus, on the other
hand, because he continues forever,
holds his priesthood permanently.”
The Psalms do speak of Jesus Christ and his unique person
and ministry transform how we read the Psalms.
