This entire Psalm is very encouraging. It begins by promising that those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High and remain under His shadow, will find refuge in Him. When snares and pestilences come, we are protected under His wings.
How do we get God’s protection? The Lord asks us to give him our hearts (Proverbs 23:26), our wills (Psalm 40:8), our all to Him, so that we are completely dependent upon Him as we walk with Him. We are surrounded by temptations of all kinds, whether they be from Satan or things in the world, and we are surrounded by difficulties that affect our flesh. But, if we have given our all to the Lord, those things around us will not change our heart devotion to Him. He keeps us from the evils that could entangle us and draw us away from Him.
Paul instructs us to build a character on the foundation (Jesus) with gold, silver, precious stones (fruit of the spirit) – not wood, hay, or straw – because fiery trials will test our work (1 Corinthians 3:12-13). Then our love for Him will remain anchored in Him (Hebrews 6:19).
The Psalm continues in verses 11 & 12 by stating that “He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands…” This shows that there will be difficulties, whether with wars, famines, diseases, and other tests of faith. Recall that faithful Epaphroditus almost died from sickness, and the apostle Paul could not heal him. (Philippians 2:25-27) God permitted the trial.
In Acts 20 (NET), the Apostle Paul stated that he knew that everywhere he went there would be “imprisonments and persecutions.” Yet in verse 24 he says, “I do not consider my life worth anything to myself, so that I may finish my task and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.” Isn’t that a wonderful attitude!
Throughout his life, Paul was imprisoned, beaten, and stoned. Additionally, Pau was “under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God,… (See 2 Corinthians 1:3-10.)
In Romans 8:28 (NASB), Paul states, “…God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” This is His keeping power, so that no unnecessary experiences will come upon those who are His. Everything else that comes to us is for our ultimate good.
We need to build our faith and lean on Him. Thus, whatever comes we can say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15) Lay hold of all His precious promises (2 Peter 1:2-4). These promises are part of our “dwelling place with Him.” They strengthen our hearts so that when evils or plagues come – we are spiritually shielded and protected.