Psalms 91:12
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כַּפַּ֥יִם
in their hands
H3709
כַּפַּ֥יִם
in their hands
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
2 of 7
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
יִשָּׂא֑וּנְךָ
They shall bear thee up
H5375
יִשָּׂא֑וּנְךָ
They shall bear thee up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
3 of 7
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
Cross References
Psalms 37:24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.Proverbs 3:23Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.Luke 4:11And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.Isaiah 46:3Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:Matthew 4:6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.Job 5:23For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
Historical Context
Psalm 91 is traditionally ascribed to Moses, reflecting wilderness protection themes. First-century Jews viewed this as a messianic psalm, which explains Satan's use in the temptation narrative. The psalm was recited for protection from plague and danger, with rabbinic tradition calling it 'the Song of Evil Occurrences.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does Satan's misuse of this verse warn against cherry-picking promises while ignoring their covenantal context?
- In what ways might you be tempted to 'test God' by claiming protection while deliberately choosing dangerous or disobedient paths?
Analysis & Commentary
They shall bear thee up in their hands (יִשָּׂאוּנְךָ עַל־כַּפָּיִם)—The Hebrew verb nasa means to lift, carry, or support, depicting angelic care with tenderness, as one carries an infant. The phrase al-kapayim (upon palms/hands) emphasizes protective intimacy.
Satan quoted this verse to tempt Jesus (Matthew 4:6, Luke 4:11), twisting divine protection into presumptuous testing. Christ's response—Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God—exposes the difference between trusting God's promises in faithful obedience versus manipulating them for self-serving spectacle. Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone alludes to stumbling in the wilderness journey; God's promise is provision for those who walk His path, not those who deliberately leap from pinnacles.