Psalm 91:11 kjv
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Psalm 91:11 nkjv
For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:11 niv
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
Psalm 91:11 esv
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:11 nlt
For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
Psalm 91 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 34:7 | The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. | Angels guard those who fear God. |
| Ps 103:20 | Bless the LORD, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word! | Angels are mighty agents obeying God's commands. |
| Ps 121:7-8 | The LORD will keep you from all evil... The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in... | God's comprehensive and continual protection. |
| Mt 4:6 | "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command His angels...'". | Satan misuses Ps 91:11 to tempt Jesus to test God. |
| Lk 4:10-11 | "for it is written, 'He will command His angels concerning You to guard You... lest You strike your foot'." | Satan misquotes this very verse during Christ's temptation. |
| Heb 1:14 | Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? | Angels serve believers, those who will inherit salvation. |
| Acts 12:7-11 | And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter... | Angelic intervention for Peter's release from prison. |
| Gen 28:12 | And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth... and behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. | Angels connect heaven and earth, involved in God's plan. |
| Ex 23:20 | "Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared." | God sends an angel to guide and guard Israel's journey. |
| 2 Kgs 6:17 | And Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes... | Angelic host providing unseen protection to Elisha. |
| Job 1:10 | "Have You not put a fence around him and around his house and around all that he has, on every side?" | God's divine protection over His servants, acknowledged by Satan. |
| Prov 3:23-26 | Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble... For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. | Security and protection for those who walk in wisdom and trust God. |
| Ps 139:3-5 | You scrutinize my going out and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways... | God's intimate knowledge and oversight of all our paths. |
| Prov 16:9 | The mind of a person plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. | God's ultimate guidance and direction over human "ways." |
| Jer 10:23 | I know, O LORD, that the way of a person is not in himself, nor is it in one who walks to direct his steps. | Man's ways are guided by God, not by self. |
| Isa 41:10 | 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you... | God's promise of presence and strength amidst fear and trials. |
| Dan 6:22 | "My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me..." | Angelic deliverance from physical harm (Daniel in the lions' den). |
| Mt 18:10 | "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father..." | Implication of guardian angels for believers, especially the vulnerable. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God... | God's sovereign hand orchestrates even difficulties for good. |
| Phil 4:6-7 | Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer... The peace of God... will guard your hearts... | God's peace guards the heart, complementing physical protection. |
| 2 Tim 4:18 | The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom... | God's ultimate deliverance to eternal safety. |
Psalm 91 verses
Psalm 91 11 Meaning
Psalm 91:11 conveys a powerful promise of divine protection for those who trust in the Lord. It states that God will give His angels charge, or a divine command, over the individual to guard and preserve them through every aspect of their life's journey, provided they remain within His ordained paths and purposes. This angelic guardianship is a specific mechanism by which God carries out His overarching promise of protection mentioned in the preceding verses.
Psalm 91 11 Context
Psalm 91:11 is deeply embedded within a psalm of profound trust and security in God. It directly follows the declaration in verse 10 that "no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Verse 11 then explains how this protection is actualized—through the deployment of God's angels. The entire psalm paints a picture of comprehensive divine care for the one who "dwells in the secret place of the Most High" (v. 1), "makes the Lord their refuge" (v. 9), and "loves Me and knows My name" (v. 14). Historically, this psalm offered solace and assurance to the ancient Israelites amidst various dangers, from pestilence and war to hidden traps, reinforcing the unique sovereignty of Yahweh over all threats.
Psalm 91 11 Word analysis
- For (כִּי,
ki): This conjunction signifies a reason or explanation. It links the promise of angelic protection directly to the preceding assurance of no harm (v. 10), acting as a foundational link in the chain of divine guarantees within the psalm. It means "because" or "surely," emphasizing the certainty of the promise. - He shall give (יְצַוֶּה,
yeṭsawweh): From the roottsawa(צָוָה), meaning "to command," "appoint," "ordain." This active verb emphasizes God's direct, authoritative, and deliberate action. It's not a passive allowance but an intentional directive; God specifically mandates the angels for this task. It underscores His sovereignty and active involvement. - His angels (מַלְאָכָיו,
mal'aḳaw):Mal'ak(מַלְאָךְ) means "messenger" or "angel" in Hebrew. The suffixawdenotes "His." This highlights that the angels are not independent agents but "His" (God's) personal messengers and servants, dispatched according to His will and authority. They are not merely general forces but specific, intelligent beings acting on divine command. - charge over (לָךְ,
lakh): The prepositionlakhmeans "to you" or "for you," indicating that the command is specifically given concerning or for the benefit of the individual. It conveys a personal and direct allocation of responsibility over "you," signifying a dedicated, personal protection. - thee (
lakhandkhasuffix onlishmorkha): The repetition of the second-person singular pronoun ("thee," "you") throughout the verse ("over thee," "to keep thee," "your ways") underscores the deeply personal and individual nature of this promise. It speaks directly to the believer. - to keep (לִשְׁמָרְךָ,
lishmorkha): Fromshamar(שָׁמַר), which means "to watch," "to guard," "to preserve," "to take heed." This denotes a comprehensive and diligent guardianship. It's not just a casual observation but an active, watchful preservation against harm. This "keeping" extends to both physical safety and the integrity of one's being and path. - in all (בְּכָל,
b'khol):B'(in/throughout) andkol(all/every). This phrase signifies the universality and comprehensiveness of the protection. It applies to every part of the believer's journey, leaving no area unguarded. - thy ways (דְרָכֶיךָ,
d'rakheykh):Derekh(דֶּרֶךְ) means "way," "path," "road," but often metaphorically refers to one's course of life, conduct, decisions, and overall journey. This is a critical nuance: the protection is "in all your ways," implying that this promise holds for a person walking in accordance with God's will and purpose. It refers to the paths ordained or permitted by God for the believer, not for a presumptuous deviation.
Psalm 91 11 Bonus section
- The personal nature of "over thee" and "your ways" reinforces that this is an individual promise for each believer who chooses God as their refuge, not just a collective assurance for a group.
- While this verse emphasizes angelic protection from external harm, the full scope of God's protection extends to internal, spiritual guarding (e.g., peace guarding the heart as in Phil 4:7).
- The fact that God gives "charge" highlights His methodical and orderly way of operating within His creation, delegating specific roles to His celestial beings according to His sovereign plan.
- The promise doesn't mean absence of difficulty or suffering (as believers sometimes experience hardship, Dan 3:16-18); rather, it assures divine presence and preservation through or out of the trial, and ultimate protection from any true spiritual or eternal harm.
Psalm 91 11 Commentary
Psalm 91:11 provides a concrete articulation of divine protection within the overall theme of God's refuge. It clarifies how God ensures the safety of His devoted followers: through His appointed angelic hosts. These aren't just generic spiritual forces but "His angels," acting under His explicit command to "keep" (guard, preserve) the individual in "all their ways." This encompasses every aspect of life's journey, every step taken in faith and obedience. The angelic protection is comprehensive, ensuring that even unseen perils are counteracted. However, as demonstrated by Satan's misuse of this very verse during the temptation of Jesus (Mt 4:6, Lk 4:10-11), this promise is not an invitation to presumptuousness or reckless testing of God. It is a safeguard for those who live under God's sovereignty and follow His leading, promising deliverance through trials, preservation in danger, and ultimate safety in His care. The angels, as "ministering spirits" (Heb 1:14), fulfill God's purpose, guarding believers physically, spiritually, and in their journey towards their eternal inheritance.Examples of practical application include: finding peace in uncertainty, stepping out in faith when God calls, and trusting in God's provision even when dangers are apparent, recognizing His unseen agents are at work.