Psalms 118:6
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֣ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אִירָ֑א
is on my side I will not fear
H3372
אִירָ֑א
is on my side I will not fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
4 of 8
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
Cross References
Hebrews 13:6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.Romans 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?Psalms 56:4In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.Psalms 56:11In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.Psalms 56:9When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.Jeremiah 20:11But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.Isaiah 51:12I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;Psalms 23:4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.Psalms 46:11The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.Psalms 146:5Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
Historical Context
Israel faced constant military threats—Egyptians, Philistines, Ammonites, Moabites, Assyrians, Babylonians. Yet Israel's survival depended not on military might but divine protection. When trusting God, small forces defeated large armies (Gideon: Judges 7, Jonathan: 1 Samuel 14). When relying on human alliances, even large forces failed (Isaiah 30:1-7, 31:1-3). David's victories flowed from covenant confidence (1 Samuel 17:37, 2 Samuel 22:1-51). Later martyrs demonstrated similar fearlessness: Daniel in the lions' den, three friends in the furnace, early Christians facing Roman persecution. Hebrews 13:6 quotes this verse, applying it to New Covenant believers.
Questions for Reflection
- In what specific situations do human threats tempt you to fear despite God's presence?
- How does regularly affirming "the LORD is on my side" reshape emotional responses to opposition?
- What is the difference between biblical fearlessness (trusting God despite danger) and foolish recklessness (presuming on God)?
Analysis & Commentary
"The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" The confession YHWH li (the LORD for me/on my side) expresses covenant confidence—God as ally, advocate, defender. The result: lo ira (I will not fear). Fear dissipates when God's presence is assured. The rhetorical question mah ya'aseh li adam (what can man do to me?) deflates human threat. Adam (man/humanity) represents human opposition—whether armies, authorities, or adversaries. Compared to YHWH's power and commitment, human hostility becomes impotent. This echoes Moses's confidence: "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) and David's defiance of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45-47). The verse doesn't deny human threats but relativizes them—with God as ally, no human enemy can ultimately prevail.