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

PSALMS 91:7KJV
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Psalms 91:7 (KJV)

What does Psalms 91:7 mean?

Psalms 91:7 says that even if thousands of people fall in danger or disaster all around you, you will remain untouched and safe. The verse paints a picture of overwhelming trouble nearby, but promises that it will not come close to you.

This verse is part of a psalm where the writer, traditionally understood as speaking to someone who trusts in God, describes protection in the midst of deadly threats. The language is vivid and dramatic, showing just how complete and personal this promised safety is, even when chaos is happening right beside you.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 91:7

  • "thousand" (אֶלֶף, ’eleph; H505) and "ten thousand" (רְבָבָה, revavah; H7233) both emphasize huge numbers, highlighting the scale of the danger or disaster being described.
  • "fall" (נָפַל, naphal; H5307) means to collapse or be struck down, often used for people dying or being defeated in battle, which deepens the sense of real threat.
  • "side" (צָד, tsad; H6654) and "right hand" (יָמִין, yamin; H3225) are concrete ways to show closeness—these dangers are not far away, but right next to the person being addressed.
  • "nigh" (קָרַב, qarav; H5066) means to come near, stressing that the harm will not even approach the one who is protected.

Why Psalms 91:7 matters

  • Psalms 91:7 clarifies that the promise of safety is not about being far from trouble, but about being protected even when danger is right next to you.
  • The verse emphasizes the personal nature of the protection, making it clear that the safety described is not just for a group, but for the individual who trusts in God.
  • This verse connects to the whole psalm’s theme of refuge and security, helping the reader see the depth of the assurance being offered in the face of overwhelming odds.

Where else these words appear

“thousand” Hebrew H7233 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
  • Deuteronomy 33:17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.
  • 1 Samuel 29:5 Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

“side” Hebrew H6654 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 6:16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
  • Joshua 3:16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
  • 2 Samuel 2:16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.

“nigh” Hebrew H5066 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Deuteronomy 25:9 Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.
  • 2 Kings 2:5 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

“hand” Hebrew H3225 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
  • 1 Kings 2:19 Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.
  • Psalms 109:6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.