Psalm 91 15

Psalm 91:15 kjv

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Psalm 91:15 nkjv

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.

Psalm 91:15 niv

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

Psalm 91:15 esv

When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.

Psalm 91:15 nlt

When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.

Psalm 91 verses

Psalm 91 15 Meaning

Psalm 91:15 reveals God's fourfold commitment to the one who dwells in His secret place and trusts in Him: answering their prayers, being present with them in distress, delivering them from peril, and honoring them publicly. It is God's direct affirmation of His active care for His faithful ones.

Psalm 91 15 Context

Psalm 91 is a profound declaration of God's unwavering protection and care for those who seek refuge in Him. The first section (v. 1-13) largely presents this assurance from the psalmist's perspective or a teacher's instruction, detailing various dangers and God's powerful shield against them, personifying divine attributes like "wings" and "feathers." Verse 14 marks a pivotal shift: God Himself begins to speak, making a direct divine covenantal promise. The structure moves from the human declaration of trust (v. 1-13) to God's direct, personal response and commitment (v. 14-16), explicitly listing the benefits of this relationship.

Historically, this Psalm resonates in a world where dangers were ever-present: wild animals, epidemic plagues, hidden snares set by enemies, and sudden warfare. It provides comfort and certainty amidst the precariousness of life in ancient times, contrasting divine protection with the vulnerability to natural forces and human malevolence. Culturally, it stood in stark contrast to reliance on pagan deities or ritualistic magic for safety, asserting that true security comes solely from an intimate relationship with the Living God. It polemically opposes any belief that God is distant, powerless, or unconcerned with the struggles of His people, unequivocally stating His personal, powerful, and active involvement.

Psalm 91 15 Word analysis

• He shall call upon Me

  • He: Refers to the person who has chosen God as their dwelling place, as described in previous verses (Ps 91:1, 9). It emphasizes a personal, direct relationship.
  • shall call upon Me (יִקְרָאֵנִי, yiqrā’ēnî): Derived from the Hebrew root קָרָא (qara), meaning "to call," "to summon," "to proclaim." This is not just a casual shout but implies an earnest, intentional appeal, an invocation born out of dependence and a relationship of trust. It highlights a conscious act of prayer and reliance.

• and I will answer him

  • I (וְאֶעֱנֵהוּ, wə’e‘enēhû): The pronoun "I" underscores God's personal, sovereign response. It's not a delegated task but a direct divine action.
  • will answer him: The Hebrew עָנָה (‘anah) means "to answer," "to respond," "to give an account." It signifies that God is not silent or passive; He actively engages with and addresses the petitions of His faithful ones, providing the needed response, whether it's deliverance, wisdom, or comfort.

• I will be with him in trouble

  • I will be (אָנֹכִי, ’ānōḵî): Again, a strong, emphatic "I" from God Himself.
  • with him (עִמּוֹ, ‘immô): The preposition עִם (im) denotes intimate presence and solidarity. It's a powerful declaration of Immanuel ("God with us") long before Jesus's birth. This isn't just watching from afar, but an active, supportive, comforting presence alongside the individual.
  • in trouble (בְצָרָה, bəṣārāh): The Hebrew צָרָה (tsarah) denotes "distress," "adversity," "anguish," "tribulation," "tight place." It encompasses any form of severe difficulty, implying that God's presence is not limited to easy times but is profoundly present in the midst of the most painful and confining circumstances.

• I will deliver him

  • I will deliver him (אֲחַלְּצֵהוּ, ’aḥaləṣēhû): Derived from חָלַץ (halats), meaning "to pull out," "to draw out," "to rescue," "to set free." This signifies active, powerful intervention to extract the individual from danger, trouble, or confinement. It implies divine action for liberation.

• and honor him

  • and honor him (וַאֲכַבְּדֵהוּ, wa’ăḵabədēhû): From כָּבֵד (kaved), meaning "to be heavy," "to be weighty," thus "to be honorable," "to glorify," "to give esteem." This promise suggests that not only will God rescue, but He will also restore dignity, respect, and give a place of significance to the one who was in distress, perhaps even exalting them in the eyes of others. It goes beyond mere survival to a place of esteemed status.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him": This phrase establishes a direct, reciprocal relationship. Human initiative (calling) is met with divine responsiveness (answering). It highlights prayer as a real, effective dialogue, not a mere ritual. God listens, cares, and replies.
• "I will be with him in trouble": This profound promise is one of solidarity and companionship during hardship. It assures God's tangible, comforting presence, providing strength and comfort precisely when needed most. It contrasts with pagan gods who might be aloof or indifferent to suffering.
• "I will deliver him and honor him": This final couplet speaks of God's active power and His character. Deliverance addresses the immediate danger, while honor speaks to the restoration and exaltation of the individual. It conveys that God not only saves from present danger but also redeems situations, leading to glorification, potentially making the very trouble a means for divine testimony. This shows God's commitment to the ultimate well-being and flourishing of His faithful.

Psalm 91 15 Bonus section

• The voice of God: Verse 15 is distinct because it shifts from the human speaker (v. 1-13) to God speaking directly (v. 14-16). This direct divine pronouncement adds immense weight and authority to the promises.
• Covenantal Language: The strong "I will" statements (Hebrew 'Anokhi, emphasizing "I myself") reflect ancient covenant formulas where a king or deity pledges their faithfulness and action. This reinforces the binding nature of God's promises.
• Messianic foreshadowing: This psalm, particularly its promises of divine protection, was famously misquoted by Satan during the temptation of Jesus (Matt 4:6, Lk 4:10-11). This highlights the psalm's profound significance, not just for individual believers, but as prophetic of the Father's care for His Son. While Jesus was not exempt from trouble, His ultimate delivery and glorification perfectly embody the spirit of this verse.
• Relationship as Foundation: The promises in this verse are predicated on the relationship established in the preceding verses (e.g., "he has set his love upon Me," "he knows My name"). This indicates that the benefits are for those who intimately know and trust God, not for any random person.

Psalm 91 15 Commentary

Psalm 91:15 is a direct divine oath, echoing God's covenant faithfulness. It transitions from general assurances of protection to a personal pledge from the Almighty, transforming abstract promises into tangible, active divine involvement. The call (qara) is one of utter reliance, reflecting a deep spiritual intimacy developed through dwelling "in the secret place of the Most High." God's response (‘anah) is absolute and certain, assuring believers that their cries are heard and addressed, reflecting His attentive care for His children.

God's promise "I will be with him in trouble" speaks volumes. It does not promise absence of trouble but rather divine companionship through it. This powerful "Immanuel" presence empowers endurance and reassures the soul that no tribulation is faced alone. This divine solidarity underpins the subsequent promise: "I will deliver him." God's rescue is not an abstract concept but a powerful act of pulling out of peril, a testament to His omnipotence and active love.

Finally, "and honor him" concludes God's fourfold commitment, elevating the delivered from the ashes of distress to a place of dignity and renown. This honor may involve vindication, exaltation, or a heightened sense of God's favor. It demonstrates that God's plan extends beyond mere survival; it encompasses flourishing and recognition for those who devotedly cling to Him, reinforcing the biblical principle that those who honor God will be honored by Him. This verse powerfully underpins the Christian journey: we are called, heard, companioned, rescued, and glorified.