Verse 1 begins, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High. . . “ The word “dwells” could be translated as “quiet and resting, enduring and remaining with consistency.” It is very similar to the word “abide,” which we see often in the New Testament. Jesus said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit” (John 15:5). That word “abide” means, “to stay in a given place, to maintain unbroken fellowship and communion with another.” Here’s what God is saying: If you want to experience the promises of Psalm 91, My protection, My provision, and My blessing, you must dwell in the secret place of the Most High. You must remain in constant fellowship with Me.”

As verse 1 continues, David suggests that we not dwell just anywhere, not in a place where we’d be exposed, or ridiculed, but no , “dwell in the secret place of the Most High…” God wants to be your hiding place and the good news is, you can retreat to this hiding place wherever you are. When you have a conflict at work or at home and don’t know what to say or how to deal with it, you can retreat into the secret place of the Most High as you are living in fellowship and communion with God. When you are frantic not knowing what card life will deal you next, you can abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Have you ever tried to walk in someone’s shadow? It can be done, but you really have to stay close. That is the picture given in Psalm 91:1, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” God says, “I want you to dwell in Me. I want to be your hiding place. I want you to be so close that you are actually in My very shadow.”