Psalm 91 13

Psalm 91:13 kjv

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Psalm 91:13 nkjv

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

Psalm 91:13 niv

You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

Psalm 91:13 esv

You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

Psalm 91:13 nlt

You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

Psalm 91 verses

Psalm 91 13 Meaning

Psalm 91:13 declares that the one who trusts in God will be divinely empowered to overcome and triumph over formidable dangers and adversaries. The imagery of treading upon lions and serpents symbolizes complete mastery and immunity from their power, representing not only physical threats but also spiritual enemies and the destructive forces of evil. It signifies God's promised victory and protection for those dwelling under His care.

Psalm 91 13 Context

Psalm 91 is a profound psalm of trust and divine assurance. It paints a vivid picture of God's complete protection over those who "dwell in the secret place of the Most High" (v. 1). The psalm describes various dangers—traps, plagues, terror, arrows, pestilence, and war—from which God delivers His faithful. Verse 13 extends this promise by giving the believer authority and power over specific, formidable threats personified as deadly animals. It flows directly from the promise that "no evil shall befall you, no plague come near your tent" (v. 10), and that angels will guard one's paths (v. 11-12), culminating in personal triumph over even the most dangerous adversaries, leading into God's own direct declaration of deliverance and long life for those who love and know Him (v. 14-16).

Word Analysis

• You will tread (תִּדְרֹ֣ךְ / tid-roḵ): From the Hebrew root dārakh (דָּרַךְ), meaning "to tread, to march, to walk upon, to bend (a bow)." In this context, it signifies powerful, active dominion, control, and subjugation. It implies an aggressive act of mastery, stepping down with authority on a defeated foe, or establishing dominion.

• upon (עַל־ / al-): A preposition meaning "upon," indicating direct physical contact and dominance.

• the lion (שַׁ֣חַל / shaḥal): Refers to a mature, adult lion, known for its fierce power, predatory nature, and ferocity. In biblical symbolism, lions often represent powerful earthly enemies, ruthless adversaries, or sometimes even demonic forces, most notably Satan in 1 Peter 5:8.

• and the cobra (וָפֶ֑תֶן / vā-p̄eṯen): From the Hebrew pethen (פֶּתֶן), specifically denotes a highly venomous snake, often identified as a cobra or Egyptian cobra. It symbolizes hidden, subtle, yet deadly danger and poison, deceit, and malice. Its venom represents corruption or destructive evil.

• you will trample (תִּרְמֹ֤ס / tir-mos): From the Hebrew root rāmas (רָמַס), meaning "to trample, to tread down, to make into dirt." This verb intensifies the meaning of dārakh, indicating an even more forceful, decisive, and complete subjugation, literally grinding something underfoot. It implies crushing something into utter helplessness or destruction.

• the young lion (כְּפִ֖יר / kə-p̄îr): From the Hebrew kephir (כְּפִיר), referring to a young lion, typically in its prime strength and vigor, known for its impetuousness and deadly effectiveness in hunting. This specifies another aspect of a formidable threat, perhaps one that is vigorous and unpredictable.

• and the serpent (וְתַנִּ֥ין / və-ṯan-nîn): From the Hebrew tannin (תַּנִּין), a broader term than pethen. It can refer to a large snake, a sea monster, or a dragon. In theological contexts, tannin often carries connotations of primeval chaos, cosmic evil, and specifically the great adversary, Satan (as seen in Revelation, linking back to the serpent of Genesis 3). Its inclusion here signifies victory over even the most profound, primordial, and malevolent forms of evil.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "You will tread upon the lion and the cobra": This initial phrase sets the theme of direct confrontation and decisive victory over overtly powerful (lion) and covertly deadly (cobra) threats.
  • "you will trample the young lion and the serpent": This second phrase, through synonymous parallelism, amplifies and reiterates the promise. "Trample" (ramas) suggests an even more complete subjugation, while "young lion" and "serpent" broaden the scope of dangers. The shift to tannin for "serpent" reinforces the victory over all forms of evil, from the obvious to the subtle, and from physical to cosmic-spiritual adversaries. The two pairs show comprehensive dominion over all aspects and manifestations of danger and evil.

Psalm 91 13 Bonus section

• The Septuagint (LXX) version of this verse is notably quoted when Satan tempts Jesus in Matthew 4:6 and Luke 4:11, though they quote verse 11 and 12 about angels guarding, ironically, implying safety in disregarding God's command. This highlights the true context of Psalm 91 as an promise for those who faithfully abide in God, not for presumptuous acts.
• The imagery of treading on dangerous creatures links back to God's original commission for humanity to exercise dominion over creation (Gen 1:28). Through God's protection and redemption, this dominion is not just physical but also spiritual, overcoming the forces of chaos and evil that distort creation.
• The verse suggests a complete inversion of fear and danger for the faithful. Instead of being prey, the believer is endowed with the authority to conquer. This points to the Christian truth that the ultimate predator, Satan, is defeated by Christ and, by extension, will be fully defeated by God under the feet of His people (Rom 16:20).

Psalm 91 13 Commentary

Psalm 91:13 serves as a powerful assurance of God's enabling grace and protective power for those who trust Him fully. It is not merely about physical safety from animals but symbolizes the believer's spiritual authority over all forms of hostile forces, evil influences, and spiritual opposition. The specific predatory animals—lions (representing brute strength, open hostility, terrifying power) and serpents (representing cunning, deception, insidious danger, and venomous destruction)—cover the full spectrum of threats one might face. The dual verbs "tread" and "trample" underscore the decisive and complete nature of this divinely granted victory. This verse found a profound echo in the words of Jesus, who empowered His disciples to "tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy" (Luke 10:19), illustrating that this prophetic promise extends to New Covenant believers as a reality of Christ's victory shared with His followers. It is a declaration of triumph over spiritual adversaries, including Satan, often depicted as a roaring lion or the ancient serpent. This promise fosters unwavering faith and courageous perseverance in the face of spiritual warfare, recognizing that through Christ, the believer is equipped to overcome all the machinations of evil.