Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

PSALMS 91:5KJV
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Psalms 91:5 (KJV)

What does Psalms 91:5 mean?

Psalms 91:5 promises that the person who trusts in God does not need to fear dangers that come at any time, whether in the darkness of night or in the brightness of day. The verse uses images of “terror by night” and “the arrow that flieth by day” to describe threats that could cause fear, but assures the reader of God’s protection.

The psalm is traditionally understood as words of reassurance, likely spoken by a priest or worship leader to someone seeking safety in God. The setting is one of danger, with threats both seen and unseen. The verse uses poetic language to cover all kinds of fears—hidden dangers at night and open attacks during the day—making clear that God’s care is constant and not limited by time or circumstance.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 91:5

  • afraid (יָרֵא, yare): This word means to be afraid or to fear. In this verse, it emphasizes that the person addressed is not just told not to feel fear, but is assured they have no reason to be afraid because of God’s protection.
  • terror (פַּחַד, pachad): This word refers to sudden, overwhelming fear or panic, often from something unexpected. The use of “terror by night” suggests dangers that are hidden, uncertain, or especially frightening because they come in darkness.
  • arrow (חֵץ, chetz): The “arrow” is a symbol for dangers that are direct, visible, and possibly violent—like attacks or disasters that happen openly during the day.
  • flieth (עוּף, uf): This word means to fly or to move swiftly. The phrase “arrow that flieth by day” paints a picture of dangers that come quickly and openly, not just hidden threats.

Why Psalms 91:5 matters

  • Psalms 91:5 clears up the idea that God’s protection is only for certain times or types of danger; the verse covers both night and day, hidden and obvious threats.
  • The verse highlights the completeness of the safety described in this psalm, showing that nothing—whether seen or unseen—falls outside of God’s care.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by building a picture of total security for those who trust in God, using vivid images that would have been familiar and real to the original audience.

Where else these words appear

“flieth” Hebrew H5774 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
  • Job 20:8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.
  • Isaiah 14:29 Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.

“terror” Hebrew H6343 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • Job 3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
  • Psalms 119:120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

“arrow” Hebrew H2671 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 49:23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
  • 2 Chronicles 26:15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
  • Proverbs 25:18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

“day” Hebrew H3119 · used in 50 verses

  • Exodus 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
  • Nehemiah 1:6 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.
  • Isaiah 4:6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.