PSALM 91:1 SHELTERING UNDER GOD

This morning, I was wondering about the images in Psalm 91:1 and the difference in translation between King James Version and the New International Version; that is, “secret place” versus “shelter.”

He that dwelleth in the secret place [seter] of the most High shall abide under the shadow [tzel] of the Almighty. (KJV)

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (NIV)

The Hebrew word for “secret place,” seter, can have the sense of a secret, hidden place.  However, its meaning here is illuminated further by its use with tzel.  In the Hebrew, there is a chiastic (reversed repetition) thought structure (A B B A) which puts “secret place” [seter] in parallel with “shadow” [tzel].

[A] The one dwelling  /  [B] in the seter of the Most High

    [B] in the tzel of the Almighty  /  [A] he will lodge.

Since this is parallel imagery, it helps to explore the word shade, tzel.  A good verse that illustrates the protective image of shade [tzel] applied to a person is the sarcastic fable of Judges 9:15:

And the thornbush said to the trees, “If in truth you are anointing me as king over you, come and take refuge in my shade…”

We see it used there as an image of coming under the protection of a king.  So, the emphasis in not so much on secret cover as on protective cover.  In addition, there is a verse that employs these same two illustrative words with other parallel imagery, Isaiah 32:1-2.

Behold, for righteousness / a king shall reign
                                      and princes shall rule   /  for justice.
And each shall be:
     as a refuge from the wind
     and a seter from the rainstorm,
     as channel of water in a dry place,
     as the tzel of a great rock in a parched land.

Here, both seter and tzel are used as images for how a good king serves his people from various harmful forces and dangerous places.  The first two images of refuge and seter are primarily of protective barriers, whereas the second two, channel of water and tzel are a sustaining protection.

Conclusion for Psalm 91:1.  Living under God puts us in a secure, protected position.  Dwelling in God’s “shadow” casts over us a sustaining and protective shade.  I like this imagery.

Lord, that is where I want to dwell, under you, in your shadow, sheltered and sustained by you.  May it be so in my life.  Amen.