Psalms 91:7
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Original Language Analysis
יִפֹּ֤ל
shall fall
H5307
יִפֹּ֤ל
shall fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
1 of 8
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
אֶ֗לֶף
A thousand
H505
אֶ֗לֶף
A thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
3 of 8
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וּרְבָבָ֥ה
and ten thousand
H7233
וּרְבָבָ֥ה
and ten thousand
Strong's:
H7233
Word #:
4 of 8
abundance (in number), i.e., (specifically) a myriad (whether definite or indefinite)
מִימִינֶ֑ךָ
at thy right hand
H3225
מִימִינֶ֑ךָ
at thy right hand
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
5 of 8
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
Cross References
Genesis 7:23And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.Psalms 32:6For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.Joshua 14:10And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
Historical Context
Psalm 91 is anonymous but traditionally associated with Moses (Septuagint superscription). Its imagery reflects wilderness dangers (pestilence, wild beasts) and military threats (arrows, siege warfare). Believers through history—from plague-stricken cities to battlefields—have claimed these promises while recognizing their ultimate fulfillment in resurrection life, not temporal exemption from suffering.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's rejection of Satan's misuse of Psalm 91 help distinguish between faith and presumption when claiming God's protection?
- What does it mean that thousands may fall 'at your side' while you remain protected—does this promise physical safety or something deeper about God's sovereign purposes?
Analysis & Commentary
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand—The hyperbolic contrast (אֶלֶף eleph, 'thousand' versus רְבָבָה revavah, 'ten thousand') emphasizes exponential escalation of danger while the believer remains supernaturally protected. This isn't a promise of physical immunity but of covenantal preservation—God's purposes for His people cannot be thwarted by plague, war, or judgment.
But it shall not come nigh thee (אֵלֶיךָ לֹא יִגָּשׁ eleikha lo yiggash)—The verb nagash means 'approach' or 'draw near,' suggesting a barrier of divine protection. Jesus resisted Satan's misuse of Psalm 91:11-12 (Matthew 4:6) by rejecting presumption, yet this psalm's promises are genuine for those who 'dwell in the secret place' (v.1) through faith, not presumption. The ultimate fulfillment is Christ, who passed through death's judgment unscathed in His resurrection.