The classic expressions of faith in Yahwe, however, are Psalms 23, 131, 121, and 91. Psalm 23:1-4 conceives of God under the figure of a shepherd, who gives to his own food, drink, guidance, protection. With the thought of danger in verse 4 the psalmist apparently felt the need of a stronger figure of speech to express his perfect security and good fortune, so in verse 5 he conceives of God as his host. God is providing for him most generously and he is confident that he will be the happy guest of God for the rest of his days.
Psalm 131 is of rarest beauty in its simplicity. This psalmist is aware that there are problems which he cannot solve by reason, and which might be permitted to harass his soul. Not in presumptuous pride, but in sincere humility, he simply trusts Yahwe, with a mind as free from protest as that of a weaned child in its mother’s arms.
Psalm 121 and more especially Psalm 91 seem to be liturgical in character. In Psalm 121, verse 1, the psalmist recognizes his need of help and that the help must come from Deity. Many of his fellow countrymen had through the centuries uncritically sought help from the gods of the high places. This psalmist asks with intense yearning and earnestness whence his help is to come. In verse 2 he answers his own question:
My help cometh from the Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth.
It is perhaps a question whether verses 3-8 are a soliloquy, or whether they are addressed to the psalmist by the priest. In either case the psalmist has the assurance that Israel’s God, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, will keep him everywhere and at all times, secure from evil.
In Psalm 91, verses 1 and 2 state the general truth that the man who trusts God is happy:
Blessed is the man, who dwelleth in the secret place of the most High,
Who abideth under the shadow of the Almighty,
Who saith of Yahwe, “My refuge and my fortress,