Psalms 91:13 (KJV)

What does Psalms 91:13 mean?

Psalms 91:13 promises that the person under God’s protection will overcome even the most dangerous threats, described here as wild animals and deadly creatures. The verse uses strong images to show complete safety and victory over things that would normally cause fear or harm.

This verse is part of a psalm where the writer speaks about the safety and security found in trusting God. The language is poetic, using animals like lions, adders (a type of snake), and dragons (likely referring to large, fearsome creatures) to represent dangers. The promise is that, with God’s help, these dangers can be faced and defeated.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 91:13

• tread (דָּרַךְ, darak): This word means to walk or step on, often with the sense of confidently moving forward. Here, it suggests not just surviving danger, but actively overcoming it.
• lion (שַׁחַל, shachal): This is a word for a fierce, young lion, emphasizing strength and threat.
• adder (פֶּתֶן, peten): This refers to a venomous snake, highlighting hidden or sneaky dangers.
• lion (כְּפִיר, kephir): This is another word for a young lion, again underlining the idea of powerful threats.
• dragon (תַּנִּין, tannin): This word can mean a large reptile or sea monster, often used in the Bible for something terrifying or chaotic.
• feet (רָמַס, ramas): This verb means to trample or crush underfoot, showing total victory over these dangers.

Why Psalms 91:13 matters

• Psalms 91:13 uses vivid, concrete images to make the point that God’s protection is not just about avoiding trouble, but about being able to face and overcome even the most frightening threats.
• The verse connects to the rest of Psalm 91, which is full of promises about God’s care in every kind of danger, both seen and unseen.
• This verse helps clear up the idea that faith in God is only about safety from harm; instead, it shows that faith also means courage and victory in the face of real dangers.