Psalm 91:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

NIV: no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.

NASB: No evil will happen to you, Nor will any plague come near your tent.

CSB: no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent.

NLT: no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

KJV: There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

NKJV: No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

When God has determined to protect someone, nothing can overcome that safety. This is an expression of pure trust and faith in the Lord, who calls on all people to come under His protection and security (Matthew 23:37; Psalm 91:1–2). It's important to note that the Bible does not promise a perfectly safe, easy life to those who believe in the Lord. On the contrary, other psalms acknowledge that hardship is a part of normal life (Psalm 3:1–2; 73:2–3). Jesus specifically countered Satan's attempt to misuse this very psalm (Psalm 91:11–12; Matthew 4:5–7).

Believers experience suffering as they travel through this sin-cursed world (John 16:33), but they do not experience any trial that God does not allow for their eternal good and His glory (Romans 8:28). Job was a righteous man who underwent severe trials, but the Lord intended them for a purpose. Satan had accused Job of trusting in God because God prospered Job, but the trials proved Satan wrong. Comparing Job chapter 1 to chapter 42, we see God blessed him with twice what he possessed before he had lost during the trials.

Psalm 91:5–13 points out that those who trust in the Lord have nothing to fear because the Lord watches over them. This continues the theme introduced in the prior passage. This segment is notable in that it was cited by the Devil when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:5–6). Jesus responded to Satan's attempt at twisting Scripture with additional Scripture and a better perspective (Matthew 4:7). Trust in God's sovereignty and goodness does not mean an absolute expectation of safety.

The psalmist expresses his trust that God is a source of safety. He uses various dangers as symbols of the terrors which God's people do not need to fear. When God has resolved to protect someone, nothing can overcome that safety. Jesus refuted inappropriate use of this promise when being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:5–7). Those who love God, and honor Him, can count on His provision and protection, and know that nothing happens without His approval.

This psalm includes similar phrases to psalms 90 and 92. The theme of this song is trust in God, a common theme in Scripture. Notable parallels can be found in 2 Samuel 22:31, Psalms 9, 37, 40, 84, and 118, Proverbs 3:5–6, Proverbs 14:26, Isaiah 26:3, Nahum 1:7, John 14:1–6, and Hebrews 11. In Psalm 91 the writer reveals what the Lord does for those who trust in Him. Verses 11 and 12 were cited by Satan when tempting Jesus in Matthew 4:5–6.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.