Psalm 91

Psalm 91 includes three names for God in the first two verses: Elyon—“Most High” (v. 1), Shaddai—“Almighty” (v. 1), and Yahweh—“Lord” (v. 2). These names reveal who God is. After rescuing his nephew Lot, Abraham is blessed by the “God Most High” (Elyon, Genesis 14:19). Later, when God establishes His covenant with Abraham (17:1-5), God claims the name Shaddai, “God Almighty” (v. 1).

It’s when God meets Moses on Horeb, “the mountain of God” (Exodus 3:1), that He names Himself Yahweh, containing the verb “I am” (v. 14), rendered in English as “the Lord” (6:3). He used other names with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but not Yahweh. This new name marks the beginning of God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery.

Psalm 91 moves the reader through these names—“Most High,” “Almighty,” and then "I am,” reminding us of God’s protection, provision, and deliverance long ago and calling us to trust that same God today.

Jed Ostoich