Psalms 91:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt not be afraid {H3372}{H8799)} for the terror {H6343} by night {H3915}; nor for the arrow {H2671} that flieth {H5774}{H8799)} by day {H3119};

Complete Jewish Bible

You will not fear the terrors of night or the arrow that flies by day,

Berean Standard Bible

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 91:5 offers a profound assurance of divine protection and unwavering confidence to those who dwell in the presence of the Most High. This verse declares that the faithful believer will not be overcome by sudden, overwhelming dangers, whether they manifest as unseen terrors under the cover of night or as overt, striking threats in the clear light of day, thereby promising comprehensive deliverance from fear and harm.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 91:5 is an integral part of Psalm 91, a magnificent hymn of trust and divine protection. The psalm opens by establishing the foundational relationship between the believer and God, emphasizing that those who "dwell in the secret place of the most High" and "abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (as declared in [Psalm 91:1](/psalms/91-1 "Psalm 91:1 - Dwelling in the Secret Place")) are the recipients of its incredible promises. The psalmist articulates a personal declaration of trust in [Psalm 91:2](/psalms/91-2 "Psalm 91:2 - My Refuge and My Fortress"), followed by a series of divine assurances spoken from God's perspective or through the voice of a prophetic speaker. Verse 5 specifically addresses the nature of the threats from which God delivers, building upon the general promise of rescue from snares and pestilence mentioned in [Psalm 91:3](/psalms/91-3 "Psalm 91:3 - Deliverance from the Fowler's Snare") and [Psalm 91:4](/psalms/91-4 "Psalm 91:4 - Covered by His Feathers"), showcasing the comprehensive and vigilant scope of His care.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, life was fraught with various dangers, both natural and human-made. "Terror by night" could evoke the very real threats of nocturnal raids by bandits, wild animals, or the psychological dread of the unknown, including nightmares or spiritual oppression believed to be more potent in darkness. "The arrow that flieth by day" vividly represents overt dangers such as warfare, sudden attacks from enemies, or even the swift onset of pestilence (which is further elaborated upon in [Psalm 91:6](/psalms/91-6 "Psalm 91:6 - Protection from Pestilence")). The imagery reflects a world where security was precarious, and reliance on divine protection was not merely a theological concept but a practical necessity for survival. The psalm speaks to the universal human experience of vulnerability in the face of unseen and seen threats, offering a divine antidote to fear rooted in God's character as a mighty protector and refuge.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 91:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. The primary theme is **Divine Safeguard**, portraying God as an active, unwavering, and comprehensive protector against all forms of danger, whether subtle or overt. This leads directly to the theme of **Freedom from Fear**, emphasized by the emphatic declaration, "Thou shalt not be afraid." God's protection is not merely external but also internal, granting inner peace and courage, echoing the frequent biblical admonition to "fear not," as found in passages like [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do Not Fear, For I Am With You"). Finally, the imagery of "terror by night" and "arrow that flieth by day" establishes the theme of **Comprehensive Deliverance**, illustrating God's protection extending to every aspect of life and every type of threat, from the psychological and spiritual to the physical and public. This merism (night and day) signifies the totality of dangers from which God promises to deliver His faithful ones.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Terror (Hebrew, _pachad'_):** This word (פַּחַד) conveys a sense of sudden dread, alarm, or panic. It often refers to a fear that arises from unseen, impending, or overwhelming danger, frequently associated with nocturnal anxieties, spiritual attacks, or sudden, inexplicable dread. It speaks to the psychological and spiritual dimension of fear, which can be as debilitating as physical harm.
* **Arrow (Hebrew, _chets'_):** The Hebrew word (חֵץ) literally means an arrow, but it is a common biblical metaphor for sudden calamity, judgment, swift and unexpected attack, or even pestilence. In the context of "flameth by day," it represents overt, visible, and often rapid dangers that strike in the open, such as military assaults, widespread disease, or public misfortune.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt not be afraid":** This opening clause is a powerful declaration, functioning both as a divine command and a profound promise. It is an imperative born out of the security found in God's refuge. The assurance is not that dangers will cease to exist, but that the believer's response to them will be one of fearless trust, rooted in God's sovereign protection. This freedom from fear is a direct fruit of abiding in the Most High.
* **"for the terror by night":** This phrase describes dangers that are hidden, sudden, and often psychological or spiritual in nature. "Terror" (pachad) suggests a deep, unsettling dread or panic. "By night" symbolizes the time of vulnerability, when unseen forces are perceived to be more active, or when one is most susceptible to nightmares, anxieties, or spiritual oppression. It speaks to the fears that creep in when defenses are down or when the source of threat is unclear.
* **"nor for the arrow that flieth by day":** This clause contrasts with the previous one, describing dangers that are overt, visible, and often physical or public. "The arrow" is a metaphor for swift, direct, and often lethal attacks, whether from human enemies, sudden calamities, or even widespread pestilence (as implied in the following verse). "By day" signifies dangers that are clearly seen, faced in the open, and against which one might normally attempt to defend oneself. Together with "terror by night," this phrase forms a merism, encompassing the totality of all possible threats, both hidden and apparent.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 91:5 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of comprehensive divine protection. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically a form of synthetic or antithetical parallelism, where "terror by night" is set against "arrow that flieth by day." While distinct in their imagery, both phrases contribute to the singular idea of God's all-encompassing protection. This pairing also creates a **Merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting parts (night and day) represent the whole, signifying that God's protection extends to all times and against all types of dangers—from the hidden and psychological to the overt and physical. Furthermore, **Metaphor and Imagery** are central, with "terror" vividly personifying an unseen dread and "arrow" serving as a potent symbol for swift, destructive calamity. These images are concrete and evoke a sense of vulnerability, against which God's promise of protection shines even brighter. The cumulative effect of these devices is to assure the reader of a holistic and unwavering divine safeguard.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 91:5 powerfully articulates the biblical truth of God's comprehensive sovereignty and His intimate care for those who trust in Him. It underscores the theme of divine immanence, where God is not a distant deity but an ever-present refuge actively shielding His people. This protection is not merely physical but extends to the psychological and spiritual realms, addressing the root of fear and replacing it with divine peace. The verse implicitly highlights the covenant faithfulness of God, who remains true to His promises to those who abide in Him. It also reinforces the theological concept that true security is found not in human strength or worldly defenses, but in absolute reliance on the Almighty, fostering a life lived in courageous faith rather than paralyzing dread.

* [Proverbs 3:25-26](/proverbs/3-25 "Proverbs 3:25-26 - Trust in the Lord, No Fear of Sudden Terror")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do Not Fear, For I Am With You")
* [2 Timothy 1:7](/2_timothy/1-7 "2 Timothy 1:7 - Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Control")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often marked by uncertainty, anxiety, and various forms of real or perceived threats, Psalms 91:5 remains a potent source of comfort and strength for modern believers. This verse encourages us to place our ultimate trust in God's sovereign care, recognizing that our security is found not in the absence of danger, but in His steadfast presence through every trial. It reminds us that divine protection enables us to face life's challenges with courage rather than succumbing to paralyzing fear. This promise does not guarantee immunity from all difficulties or suffering, but rather assures us of God's unwavering faithfulness and empowering presence, allowing us to live fearlessly under His protective wing, knowing that even in the midst of "terrors by night" or "arrows by day," He is our ultimate refuge and strength.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as your personal refuge impact your daily anxieties and fears, especially those that feel unseen or overwhelming?**
* **What specific "terrors by night" (e.g., spiritual attacks, chronic worries, nightmares) or "arrows by day" (e.g., public challenges, health concerns, relational conflicts) are you currently facing, and how can you intentionally apply the promise of Psalms 91:5 to them?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a deeper, more abiding trust in God's protective presence this week, allowing His promise to transform your fear into peace?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean believers will never experience harm or danger?**

Answer: No, the verse does not promise an absence of danger or suffering in the life of a believer. Instead, it promises protection *from* fear in the face of danger and comprehensive divine oversight *through* all forms of threats. The "terror by night" and "arrow by day" are real dangers, but the promise is that those who abide in God will not be *afraid* of them, nor will these threats ultimately overcome them. God's protection is about His presence, His ultimate deliverance, and His working all things for good for those who love Him ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")). Believers may still face trials, sickness, or even death, but the promise assures them that God is their refuge *in* these circumstances, and He will ultimately deliver them, whether in this life or into eternal life. The broader context of the Psalms, and indeed the entire Bible, acknowledges human suffering while continually pointing to God as the ultimate source of security and hope, as seen in the experiences of figures like [Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - Suffering and Sovereignty") or the apostles.

**What is the "terror by night" and "arrow by day" in a modern context?**

Answer: In a modern context, the "terror by night" can symbolize the unseen, insidious, and often psychological or spiritual threats that plague us. This might include debilitating anxiety, chronic worry, panic attacks, nightmares, spiritual oppression, the fear of the unknown, or the sudden, unexpected crises that disrupt our peace when we least expect them. It represents the internal dread that can consume us. The "arrow that flieth by day" represents the overt, visible, and often physical or public dangers we face. This could be literal physical threats, public health crises, economic instability, social injustice, direct opposition or conflict, sudden accidents, or the rapid spread of misinformation. Essentially, the pairing of "night" and "day" and "terror" and "arrow" forms a **merism**, signifying the totality of all possible threats—from the subtle and internal to the obvious and external. The verse assures us that God's protection covers every conceivable danger, at every moment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 91:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true "secret place" and "shadow of the Almighty" where believers find their refuge. The "terror by night" and "arrow that flieth by day" represent the full spectrum of human vulnerability—sin, death, fear, and the attacks of the enemy—all of which Christ definitively conquered. On the cross, Jesus bore the ultimate "arrow" of divine judgment for humanity's sin, becoming the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His resurrection, He disarmed the "terror" of death and the grave, offering eternal life and true freedom from fear to all who believe ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Deliverance from the Fear of Death")). Christ's promises of peace, "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus' Gift of Peace")), directly address the "thou shalt not be afraid" of Psalm 91:5. Furthermore, His assurance that no one can snatch His sheep out of His hand ([John 10:28-29](/john/10-28 "John 10:28-29 - No One Can Snatch Them From My Hand")) speaks to His comprehensive and unwavering protection. In Christ, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit, who is a "Spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind," not of fear ([2 Timothy 1:7](/2_timothy/1-7 "2 Timothy 1:7 - Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Control")), enabling them to face all of life's challenges with divine courage and unwavering hope, knowing that their ultimate security rests in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 43:2

When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Job 5:19

He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

Job 5:27

Lo this, we have searched it, so it [is]; hear it, and know thou [it] for thy good.

Proverbs 3:23

Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

Proverbs 3:25

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

Psalms 3:5

I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

Psalms 3:6

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set [themselves] against me round about.