Psalm 91 10

Psalm 91:10 kjv

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

Psalm 91:10 nkjv

No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

Psalm 91:10 niv

no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.

Psalm 91:10 esv

no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

Psalm 91:10 nlt

no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.

Psalm 91 verses

Psalm 91 10 Meaning

Psalm 91:10 proclaims a profound promise of divine protection and safety for those who faithfully abide in the shelter of the Most High. It declares that no misfortune, general calamity, or specific destructive force like pestilence or disease, will come upon the individual or affect their household. This verse assures comprehensive and unfailing security from all forms of adversity and peril, affirming God's protective shield over His faithful ones.

Psalm 91 10 Context

Psalm 91 stands as a powerful declaration of God's protection for those who choose Him as their refuge. Verse 10 directly follows the conditions set forth in the earlier verses (Ps 91:1-2, 9), emphasizing that it is by dwelling "in the secret place of the Most High" and making the Lord one's "refuge" that such absolute protection is granted. The Psalm's primary focus is personal security from diverse dangers including terrors of the night, arrows of the day, pestilence, plague, and predators. In a historical and cultural context where life was precarious, marked by disease, war, and famine, and often attributed to arbitrary gods or spirits, Psalm 91 presents YHWH as the sole, reliable, and active guardian. It implicitly offers a polemic against the notion of fate or reliance on pagan charms, instead advocating for faithful reliance on the covenant God of Israel who uniquely shields His people even amidst widespread calamity. The mention of "tent" is culturally significant, representing not just a physical dwelling but the entire household and everything one owns, encompassing all one's sphere of life.

Psalm 91 10 Word analysis

• No evil (לֹא־תְאֻנֶּה - lo-te'unneh):

  • לֹא (lo): "No," or "not," indicating a strong and emphatic negation.
  • תְאֻנֶּה (te'unneh): Derived from the root אָנָה (anah), meaning "to happen," "to occur," "to meet with," or "to befall." In this Niph'al form, it conveys that something bad will not happen to you. It refers to general harm, misfortune, or calamity.
  • Significance: This phrase broadly covers all forms of adversity or misfortune that could impact an individual, not limited to a specific type of suffering but encompassing any harmful experience. It points to a divine promise of general immunity from ill.

• Shall befall you: This clarifies the action of תְאֻנֶּה (te'unneh), highlighting that the "evil" will not personally come upon or impact the trusting individual.

• Nor shall any plague (וְנֶגַע - w'naga):

  • וְ (w'): "And" or "nor," linking this second part of the promise.
  • נֶגַע (naga): A significant Hebrew term, meaning "plague," "stroke," "blow," "affliction," or a "mark." It frequently denotes disease or a divinely sent calamity, often a severe and infectious malady. This term is notably used in the Exodus account for the plagues on Egypt, emphasizing its potent and destructive nature.
  • Significance: This word narrows the focus from general "evil" to specific, often devastating, diseases or disastrous visitations. It assures protection from epidemics, widespread sickness, or the devastating effects of God's judgment that might fall upon others.

• Come near (יִקְרַב - yiqrav):

  • יִקְרַב (yiqrav): From the root קָרַב (qarab), meaning "to draw near," "to approach," "to come close."
  • Significance: The active verb here implies that the "plague" will not even achieve proximity or proximity of contact to cause harm. It conveys a complete, anticipatory, and preventing safeguard, keeping the danger at a considerable distance. It is not just about recovery, but about active repulsion.

• Your tent (בְּאָהֳלֶךָ - b'ohaleka):

  • בְּ (b'): "In," "at," "to."
  • אָהֳלֶךָ (ohelkha): "Your tent" or "your dwelling." In ancient Israelite society, "tent" represented the entirety of one's abode, including their family, possessions, and all that they considered their sphere of personal and familial security.
  • Significance: The divine protection extends beyond the individual to encompass their entire household and everything within their care and dwelling. This promise ensures holistic safety for one's family and possessions from all forms of harm and affliction.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "no evil shall befall you": Focuses on direct, personal adversity, providing broad assurance against general harm or misfortune that might come upon the individual.
  • "nor shall any plague come near your tent": Specifies a particular kind of pervasive danger (disease, pestilence) and extends the sphere of protection to one's entire household and property, highlighting God's care for one's complete domestic well-being. The pairing provides a comprehensive shield for both the person and their family/environment.

Psalm 91 10 Bonus section

The profound promises of Psalm 91, including verse 10, should be understood not as a guarantee against all physical suffering or death in a fallen world, but as an assurance that no evil or plague will succeed in ultimately separating the believer from God's love and purpose, or bring about spiritual ruin. The protection is comprehensive, often experienced physically, but its deepest reality lies in God's sovereignty over circumstances and His commitment to His children's ultimate good. While believers may encounter trials or illness, the Lord's hand remains upon them, often providing miraculous preservation or transforming adversity into growth. This promise stands as a testament to God's unparalleled power as distinct from pagan deities believed to inflict rather than prevent such calamities. It calls for trust not in an outcome, but in the faithful Character of God.

Psalm 91 10 Commentary

Psalm 91:10 distills the essence of God's protective covenant with His devoted ones. Following the declarative statement of the first nine verses, which lay the groundwork of abiding faith, this verse delivers a two-fold, unqualified assurance. Firstly, "no evil shall befall you" covers a vast array of misfortunes, disasters, or accidents that could threaten personal well-being. This implies a divine watchfulness that intervenes or diverts general perils. Secondly, "nor shall any plague come near your tent" addresses more specific and often terrifying threats of epidemic disease or calamity, and extends the promise beyond the individual to their entire household. This isn't an arbitrary shield but a direct outcome of living "under the shadow of the Almighty," emphasizing that proximity to God grants immunity from dangers that others might experience. The 'tent' symbolizes the completeness of God's guardianship—personal, familial, and domiciliary—signifying an all-encompassing peace and security for those in faithful relationship with the Lord.