Psalm 91 6

Psalm 91:6 kjv

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

Psalm 91:6 nkjv

Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

Psalm 91:6 niv

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Psalm 91:6 esv

nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

Psalm 91:6 nlt

Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Psalm 91 verses

Psalm 91 6 Meaning

Psalm 91:6 assures the one who trusts in God protection from two distinct yet equally devastating forms of calamity: "the pestilence that stalks in darkness" and "the destruction that wastes at noonday." It speaks of divine safeguard against hidden, insidious threats that operate unseen or at vulnerable times, as well as against overt, overwhelming devastations that strike suddenly in broad daylight. The verse continues the theme of comprehensive divine refuge, extending the promise of safety to all hours and circumstances, covering both known and unknown perils.

Psalm 91 6 Context

Psalm 91 stands as a powerful declaration of God's protection for those who take refuge in Him. The initial verses (Psa 91:1-2) establish the secure dwelling place of the believer under the "shelter of the Most High" and "shadow of the Almighty," declaring the Lord as a "refuge and a fortress." From this secure position, the psalm enumerates various dangers from which God delivers: the fowler's snare and deadly pestilence (v.3), the terror by night, the arrow by day (v.5). Verse 6 continues this comprehensive list, further elaborating on the nature of these threats—those operating covertly "in darkness" and those striking overtly "at noonday." The psalm builds on a covenantal relationship where divine promises of safety are contingent on the believer's faith and abiding in God (Psa 91:9-11), culminating in explicit promises from God Himself to honor and deliver the one who loves and knows Him (Psa 91:14-16). Historically and culturally, ancient peoples, including Israel, frequently faced devastating plagues, unforeseen calamities, and both overt and covert warfare. Pestilence was often seen as a mysterious and deadly force, sometimes associated with divine judgment or malevolent spiritual entities. The verse affirms that the God of Israel is sovereign over all such threats, providing ultimate protection that far surpasses any perceived control of other deities or forces.

Psalm 91 6 Word Analysis

• nor for the pestilence:

  • nor for: A connective phrase indicating a continuation of the previous verse's dismissal of fear (from Psa 91:5). It links to the overarching theme of complete fearlessness due to God's protection.
  • the pestilence: Hebrew: deber (דֶּבֶר). Meaning: pestilence, plague, a destructive outbreak of disease, often widespread and lethal. This term frequently appears in the Old Testament in connection with divine judgment (e.g., plagues on Egypt, the plague after David's census). Its significance here lies in representing a real, physical threat of widespread disease and epidemic, which was a constant fear in ancient times. It is silent, indiscriminate, and can strike suddenly.

• that stalks:

  • Hebrew: holekh (הֹלֵךְ), from the verb halak (הָלַךְ), meaning to walk, to go. Here, it conveys a sense of quiet movement, insidious advance, or pervasive spread. Pestilence is personified, implying an active agent that moves deliberately, perhaps unobserved, similar to a hunter stalking its prey.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the subtle, creeping, and pervasive nature of the threat. It suggests something that progresses silently until its full impact is felt.

• in darkness:

  • Hebrew: ba'ophel (בָּאֹפֶל). Meaning: in deep gloom, in obscurity, in thick darkness. This term signifies hiddenness, unseen activity, or lack of knowledge. It can refer to the literal night-time, when dangers were less visible, or symbolically to the mysterious origins or invisible nature of the pestilence (e.g., how diseases spread before germ theory was known). It can also allude to dangers operating under the cover of secrecy or spiritual obscurity.
  • Significance: Highlights the threats that are concealed, those that arise unexpectedly from hidden sources, or those that manifest during periods of vulnerability (like sleep). It also suggests a realm where evil may operate discreetly.

• nor for the destruction:

  • nor for: Again, reinforces the rejection of fear, extending the divine promise to yet another type of calamity.
  • the destruction: Hebrew: qeteb (קֶטֶב). Meaning: destruction, slaughter, wasting away, ruin, especially a devastating calamity or even a specific plague-demon in some ancient contexts, although the biblical understanding emphasizes it as a force sent or permitted by God. It denotes a decisive and ruinous event. While related to plague, qeteb can encompass broader forms of desolation, perhaps related to scorching wind or sudden blights.
  • Significance: Represents sudden, overt, and comprehensive ruin. It contrasts with the creeping nature of deber by implying an immediate, striking force that causes complete devastation.

• that wastes:

  • Hebrew: yashud (יָשׁוּד), from the verb shud (שׁוּד), meaning to lay waste, devastate, plunder, ravage. This term powerfully describes the total and thorough desolation caused by the destructive force.
  • Significance: Underlines the completeness and overwhelming power of this particular danger, indicating a complete despoliation or ruin.

• at noonday:

  • Hebrew: tzohorayim (צָהֳרַיִם). Meaning: midday, noon. This is typically the brightest and most exposed part of the day, when things are most visible. Its mention here creates a striking contrast with "in darkness."
  • Significance: Points to dangers that strike openly and conspicuously, perhaps when one feels most secure and illuminated. This could be open warfare, overt attacks, sudden natural disasters like sunstroke, or a swift, inescapable calamity that devastates plainly in sight. The pairing of "darkness" and "noonday" forms a merism, signifying that God protects throughout all times (night and day) and from all kinds of threats (hidden and overt, subtle and sudden).

Words-group analysis:

• "the pestilence that stalks in darkness": This phrase encapsulates the fear of the unseen and unknown. It evokes an image of an invisible threat that gradually permeates, causing devastation. This covers threats that come from obscurity, like novel diseases or covert attacks, where the enemy is hidden or the danger's mechanism is mysterious. It could also have spiritual implications for hidden sins or unseen temptations that subtly spread.
• "the destruction that wastes at noonday": This contrasts sharply, portraying an immediate, overwhelming, and highly visible calamity. It speaks to the terror of sudden, open attack or devastating judgment when one is exposed and most active. This covers overt acts of violence, public humiliation, or manifest calamities whose destructive power is clear for all to see.
• The pairing of "darkness" and "noonday": This poetic device (merism) emphasizes the totality of God's protection. It means throughout the entire cycle of a day (24 hours), and in every conceivable circumstance, whether the danger is hidden and operates by stealth or is overt and strikes suddenly. It signifies comprehensive and unwavering divine guardianship over all life's circumstances.

Psalm 91 6 Bonus section

• The deliberate contrast between "darkness" and "noonday" highlights the full spectrum of time, suggesting divine vigilance that never ceases, watching over the faithful both by night and by day.
• In some ancient Near Eastern myths and beliefs, specific demons or deities were associated with nocturnal perils or midday heat/calamities. Psalm 91, in this verse, implicitly declares the supremacy of Yahweh over all such perceived spiritual or natural forces, showing His power to protect from all types of harm attributed to them, without acknowledging their independent power.
• The protection promised is not a guarantee of never experiencing challenges, but rather a profound assurance that these devastating forces will not ultimately "terrorize," "strike," "stalk," or "waste" the one who makes the Most High their dwelling place in such a way as to overcome them or destroy their faith.

Psalm 91 6 Commentary

Psalm 91:6 is a profound assurance to the believer, expanding on God's comprehensive protection from life's diverse perils. It meticulously divides potential dangers into two broad categories: those that operate surreptitiously "in darkness" and those that strike overtly "at noonday." The "pestilence that stalks in darkness" represents insidious, unseen threats—like widespread epidemics or spiritual attacks whose source or methods are not immediately apparent, breeding fear of the unknown. Conversely, "the destruction that wastes at noonday" describes overt, devastating calamities that strike with visible force and clarity, such as open warfare, sudden catastrophic events, or manifest judgments. The very choice of "darkness" and "noonday" functions as a merism, encompassing all times of day and, by extension, all possible scenarios—hidden or visible, creeping or instantaneous. This verse underscores God's unfailing ability and commitment to guard His own against every conceivable form of harm, ensuring that whether a threat is covertly launched or overtly unleashed, the one dwelling under the Almighty's shadow remains secure, free from fear, by divine favor and provision.