Psalm 91 7

Psalm 91:7 kjv

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Psalm 91:7 nkjv

A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.

Psalm 91:7 niv

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

Psalm 91:7 esv

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

Psalm 91:7 nlt

Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.

Psalm 91 verses

Psalm 91 7 Meaning

Psalm 91:7 declares God's steadfast protection for those who trust in Him, assuring them that even if thousands fall victim to peril all around them, widespread disaster and death will not come near them. It highlights an extraordinary immunity, demonstrating the sovereign power and faithful guardianship of the Most High over His devoted ones amidst widespread calamity.

Psalm 91 7 Context

Psalm 91 is a song of assurance and protection for those who "dwell in the secret place of the Most High." The chapter promises safety from various dangers—pestilence, terror, arrows, traps, and plagues. Verse 7 specifically paints a picture of extreme widespread peril, emphasizing that despite death and destruction raging fiercely in the immediate surroundings, the one under God's wing remains unharmed. It is set within a poetic declaration of trust in Yahweh as a personal refuge and fortress, establishing that divine immunity is for those who consciously and continuously abide in God's presence and declare Him as their trust. Historically, the audience would have faced real dangers from war, disease, famine, and natural disasters, making the promise of protection intensely relevant. It stands in contrast to the anxieties of life in ancient times, challenging any belief in chance or inadequate human or pagan deity protection by affirming the absolute security found in the one true God.

Psalm 91 7 Word analysis

• A thousand (אֶ֣לֶף - ’elef): This Hebrew term signifies a large, indefinite number, often representing a military unit or a numerous multitude. Here, it highlights the sheer scale and pervasiveness of the calamity, emphasizing that the danger is common and widespread.
• may fall (יִפֹּ֣ל - yipōl): From the root נָפַל (naphal), meaning "to fall," "to collapse," or "to die." It powerfully conveys images of widespread death, defeat, or destruction. The imperfect tense indicates continuous or repeated falling.
• at your side (מִצִּדְּךָ֗ - mitztzidekha): Literally "from your side." This phrase stresses the extreme proximity of the disaster. The individual is not removed from the scene of the danger but is directly in its midst, yet unaffected.
• ten thousand (וּרְבָבָה - u-rĕvāvāh): From the root רְבָבָה (revāvāh), meaning "ten thousand." This term acts as an amplification, significantly intensifying the preceding "thousand." It conveys an even more immense, almost uncountable, number of casualties, deepening the hyperbole to describe an overwhelming catastrophe.
• at your right hand (מִֽימִינֶֽךָּ - miminekā): Literally "from your right hand." The right hand often symbolizes strength, primary action, and authority. In a battle context, this implies the primary attacking flank or a particularly vulnerable point. Its mention here further emphasizes that danger is approaching from all significant directions, engulfing the entire environment around the protected individual.
• but it (לֹא־ - lō - "not," יִגַּ֖שׁ - yiggash - "it will approach"): The word lo is a strong negation, making the coming phrase an absolute denial. Yiggash, from the root נָגַשׁ (nagash), means "to approach," "to draw near," or "to touch."
• will not come near you (לֹא־יִגַּ֖שׁ אֵלֶֽיךָ - lo yiggash ’elēykā): This complete phrase forms the core promise of immunity. It's a powerful assurance that the devastation, while present all around, will absolutely not affect, harm, or physically touch the person under divine protection. This implies a selective shielding from the effects of the widespread calamity.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand": This is a hyperbolic parallelism. It isn't a literal count but a poetic device emphasizing the magnitude and proximity of the destruction. It conveys the idea that death and calamity will surround the believer in overwhelming numbers, covering every side.
• "but it will not come near you": This powerful clause provides the stark contrast to the preceding descriptions of widespread death. The pronoun "it" refers to the pestilence, the deadly dangers, and the widespread destruction mentioned throughout the chapter. This statement is the triumphant promise, assuring an unbreachable barrier of divine protection, separating the one under God's care from the fate of the vulnerable multitude. The promise is not that no danger will ever exist, but that the dangers will not ultimately harm the one sheltered by God.

Psalm 91 7 Bonus section

• Not a Universal Blanket Promise: This verse, like the rest of Psalm 91, is conditional. Its promises are specifically for those who "dwell in the secret place of the Most High," "abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psa 91:1), "say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress'" (Psa 91:2), and "hold fast to Me in love" (Psa 91:14). It does not guarantee physical invincibility for anyone and everyone, but a distinct protective blessing for those living in intimate relationship with God.
• Spiritual vs. Physical Protection: While physical protection is often manifest, the ultimate meaning of "it will not come near you" is comprehensive, including spiritual protection. The soul, the core being, remains safe and secure in God, irrespective of physical circumstances or martyrdom, as Christ taught (Matt 10:28).
• Polemics against Pagan Beliefs: In an ancient world filled with lesser gods or deities providing localized or limited protection, Psalm 91 presents Yahweh as the all-encompassing, supreme Protector who controls even pestilence and warfare, rendering human or idol reliance utterly meaningless in comparison.
• Messianic Implications: While primarily speaking of believers, some traditions also see this Psalm as anticipating the perfect, absolute protection extended to the Messiah. Jesus's experience of resisting temptation (where Satan misquoted Psa 91:11-12) shows His perfect trust and understanding of God's protection without presumptuous testing.

Psalm 91 7 Commentary

Psalm 91:7 provides a vivid picture of divine protection in the midst of global turmoil. It assures the faithful that while calamities, illnesses, and societal collapses may claim countless lives around them, the special preserve of God will keep His people untouched by the same destructive fate. This immunity is not magical but stems from a relationship of abiding trust and dwelling in the presence of the Most High (as stated in Psa 91:1-2). It signifies a complete and unwavering confidence in God's faithfulness to shield His own, both physically and spiritually, from the forces of destruction. This verse stands as a testament to God's selective judgment and mercy, distinguishing between those who shelter in Him and those who do not. The assurance isn't a guarantee against experiencing trouble, but against being overwhelmed or ultimately conquered by it. True protection is ultimately found in spiritual safety and God's sovereign control, even when facing death, for the believer's ultimate security is in Christ beyond this temporal life.

• Example 1: A believer remaining safe from an infectious disease while many in their community succumb.
• Example 2: Enduring persecution without compromising faith or spirit, even when others around falter under pressure.