"Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. ¹⁵When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. ¹⁶With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation." —Psalm 91:14-16
Verse 14 marks a shift in this psalm. The voice of the psalmist gives way here as God himself begins to speak. Verses 3–13 is addressed to “you.” The psalmist issues promise after promise to the anointed One. And then in verse 14 God validates all of these promises by one great assurance: final salvation.
The same thing is said twice in verse 14. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.” So why will God deliver him? Because he holds fast to him in love. Why will God protect him? Because he knows God’s name. Realize that this kind of care from God is not for every single person on the planet. It is for the one who holds fast to him, the one who knows him. There is a relationship that undergirds God’s commitment to us. This is the main point to embrace today. We trust God to save us because we know him. Calvin writes,
As it is a true knowledge of God which begets confidence in him, and leads us to call upon him; and as none can seek him sincerely but those who have apprehended the promises, and put due honour upon his name, the Psalmist with great propriety and truth represents this knowledge as being the spring or fountain of trust. (Commentaries, p. 490)
So we trust God because we know him, and we know him only because he has sent Jesus to make himself known, because he has opened our eyes to see the glory of Christ and to bank our lives on that truth (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:4–6).
As you go about your day, remember that the God in whom you believe, and upon whom you rely on for everything, is the God who has drawn you into fellowship. Great is his faithfulness! He has told us who he is and makes good on all his promises. Let us go deeper in the Word, and let our faith increase. For the more we know of him, the more confidence we will have in his care.
For Reflection
To whom does God promise deliverance and protection?
What is the relationship to your knowledge of God and your trust in him?
We know him only because he has opened our eyes. How does this truth affect you?