John Calvin Commentary Psalms 91:9

"For thou, O Jehovah, art my refuge! Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation;" — Psalms 91:9 (ASV)

Because thou, Jehovah, art my protection. He elaborates at such length in praise of God's providence, knowing how slow people naturally are to turn to God in the right way, and how much they need to be urged to this duty and turned away from those false and worldly refuges in which they trust.

There is a frequent change of person throughout this psalm. For example, in the first verse, he addresses God, and afterwards addresses himself. He calls God his protection—in this way, by his own example, recommending that others turn to God as their help. So, afterwards, he addresses himself, so that he may be more convinced of the sincerity of his heart.

The true method of testing our faith is to turn our thoughts inward upon ourselves and, when no human eye sees us, to search our own spirits. If, not content with relating only to God, we look to people, it is almost impossible to prevent pride from creeping in to take the place of faith.

He speaks of regarding God as his house or refuge, because he defends us from every evil, as in Psalm 90:1. This verse may be considered as connected with the following one, stating the reason for what is asserted there, for it is added, There shall no evil befall thee.

And how are approaching evils averted, if not by our resting confidently in God's protection? It is true that troubles of various kinds assail believers just as they do others, but the Psalmist means that God stands between them and the violence of every assault, so as to preserve them from being overwhelmed.

The divine guardianship is represented as extending to the whole household of the righteous. We know that God includes in his love the children of those whom he has adopted into his fatherly favor. Or, perhaps, the term may be taken in its simpler sense, and it may simply mean that those who choose God for their refuge will dwell safely in their houses.