Psalm 118:6 kjv
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Psalm 118:6 nkjv
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Psalm 118:6 niv
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalm 118:6 esv
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Psalm 118:6 nlt
The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?
Psalm 118 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 27:1 | The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? | God as savior removes fear. |
| Ps 56:4 | In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. | Direct echo of trust over man's harm. |
| Ps 56:11 | In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. | Near identical repetition for emphasis. |
| Ps 118:7 | The LORD taketh my part with them that help me... | God actively helps and defends. |
| Ps 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. | God's immediate presence in distress. |
| Deut 31:6 | Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them... | Divine command to be fearless in battle. |
| Josh 1:9 | Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid... for the LORD your God is with you. | God's presence ensures courage. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God... | God's presence as antidote to fear. |
| Isa 51:12 | I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die...? | Fear of mortal man is irrational. |
| Jer 1:8 | Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee... | God promises deliverance from adversaries. |
| Ezek 2:6 | And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words... | Do not fear rebellious people. |
| Matt 10:28 | And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul... | Fear God over those who can only harm physically. |
| Luke 12:4-5 | ...Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. | Limits of human power highlighted. |
| Rom 8:31 | What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? | God's unwavering support makes opposition irrelevant. |
| Rom 8:38-39 | For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life... shall be able to separate us from the love of God. | Nothing can separate from God's protective love. |
| 2 Tim 1:7 | For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. | God's Spirit replaces fear with godly attributes. |
| Heb 13:6 | So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. | New Testament direct quote of Psalm 118:6. |
| 1 Pet 3:14 | But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror... | Blessedness in suffering with God's backing. |
| Ps 3:6 | I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about. | Trust in God over overwhelming odds. |
| Ps 34:7 | The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. | Divine protection around believers. |
| Ps 91:5 | Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day... | Protection from various threats. |
| Prov 29:25 | The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. | Trust in God frees from human snares. |
Psalm 118 verses
Psalm 118 6 Meaning
Psalm 118:6 is a bold declaration of faith and an expression of profound trust in the unwavering support and power of the LORD. It proclaims that when God is an ally, there is no valid reason for human fear, because mortal beings are utterly incapable of inflicting true or lasting harm that God does not permit or cannot ultimately overcome. This verse champions divine sovereignty over human malice or limitation.
Psalm 118 6 Context
Psalm 118 is a pivotal psalm, part of the Hallel (Psalms 113-118), which were traditionally sung by Jewish people during major feasts like Passover. This particular psalm serves as a thanksgiving and processional hymn, likely celebrating a great victory or deliverance granted by the LORD. The psalmist, perhaps a king (like David) or representing the nation of Israel, recounts a journey from distress and oppression by adversaries to joyous triumph and salvation. Verse 6 directly follows a declaration of crying out to the LORD and being answered (Ps 118:5). It sets the confident tone that God’s unwavering support overcomes any human threat, laying the groundwork for further testimonies of divine assistance against formidable enemies (Ps 118:7-13). Historically, this psalm resonated with Israel's experiences of often being surrounded by hostile nations, yet miraculously preserved by God. Culturally, the fear of "man" could refer to any human authority, military force, or societal pressure attempting to undermine or destroy God's people or His chosen one. The psalmist confidently dismisses such fears in light of divine intervention.
Psalm 118 6 Word analysis
- The LORD (יהוה - Yahweh): This is the sacred, covenant name of God, indicating His personal, immutable, and eternal nature. It signifies His absolute sovereignty and faithfulness to His promises. The psalmist's confidence is not in a general deity, but in the specific God of Israel who has historically revealed Himself and His power.
- is on my side (לי - li, lit. "for me"): The Hebrew preposition indicates direct association, benefit, and active support. It implies God is not merely a distant observer, but an engaged, favorable presence, actively advocating for and with the psalmist. It denotes a close, protective relationship where God stands as an ally and defender.
- I will not fear (לא אירא - lo yira): "Lo" is a strong negation, and "yira" means to be afraid, terrified. This is a deliberate and firm declaration of an absence of fear, born not from bravado or ignorance of danger, but from absolute trust in the divine protector. It is a faith-filled assertion, countering the natural human inclination to succumb to fear in the face of threat. It stands in contrast to the fear of "man."
- what can man (מה...אדם - mah...adam): "Mah" is a rhetorical interrogative, questioning the actual capacity of "adam," which refers to frail, mortal, finite humanity. The use of a rhetorical question emphasizes the utter powerlessness and insignificance of human adversaries when contrasted with the omnipotent God. It implies an inability to inflict lasting or soul-damaging harm.
- do unto me (יעשה לי - ya'aseh li): "Ya'aseh" means to do or make. The phrase challenges the limits of human action against one protected by God. While man can certainly inflict physical harm, temporary suffering, or even death, this verse implies they cannot thwart God's ultimate purpose, eternal destiny, or truly overcome the spirit of the believer. Their power is finite and ultimately subject to divine permission.
- Words-group: "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear": This phrase beautifully illustrates the cause-and-effect relationship: God's presence and active support (cause) leads to the psalmist's resolute courage and lack of fear (effect). Divine help inherently disarms human threats.
- Words-group: "I will not fear: what can man do unto me?": This reveals the logic of faith. The declaration of fearlessness is immediately followed by its rationale – a dismissive challenge to the limited power of humanity. The psalmist’s boldness is rooted in a sober assessment of human frailty against divine might. This acts as a powerful polemic against any notion that human institutions or individual powers could rival or overcome the authority and protection of Yahweh.
Psalm 118 6 Bonus section
The concept expressed in Psalm 118:6 is a foundational principle throughout scripture, contrasted sharply with the "fear of man," which "brings a snare" (Prov 29:25). Instead, the "fear of the LORD"—a reverent awe and submission to God—is consistently presented as the beginning of wisdom and the path to security. This verse thus offers freedom from the tyranny of human opinion, popular culture, political pressures, or personal enemies. It teaches that God is not merely with us passively, but "for us" actively, to deliver, preserve, and enable. This has deep spiritual implications, reminding us that evil forces, while potent, ultimately fall under God's supreme authority, limiting their power to truly defeat a believer whose hope is firmly placed in Him.
Psalm 118 6 Commentary
Psalm 118:6 provides a profound cornerstone for robust faith, asserting that absolute trust in the LORD dissolves all fear of human opposition. It's not a denial of danger, but a defiance born from divine reliance. When one comprehends that the sovereign God of the universe is their active supporter, advocate, and defender, the threats and capabilities of finite humanity are diminished to insignificance. This truth empowers believers to stand firm in the face of persecution, ridicule, or any form of hostility, recognizing that ultimate victory, purpose, and peace are secure in God's hands. What can man do to truly harm one whose eternal destiny is held by the Most High? He can touch the body, but not the soul, the possessions, but not the inheritance. The verse encourages a mindset where God's approval is paramount, making human opinion or malice secondary and ultimately impotent. For example, like Daniel, who, even when facing lions, maintained his resolve because "the LORD was on his side," or Paul, who declared, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," regardless of his sufferings.