Psalms 91:13

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Thou shalt tread {H1869}{H8799)} upon the lion {H7826} and adder {H6620}: the young lion {H3715} and the dragon {H8577} shalt thou trample under feet {H7429}{H8799)}.

You will tread down lions and snakes, young lions and serpents you will trample underfoot.

You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under foot.

Psalm 91:13 from the King James Version (KJV) is a powerful declaration of divine protection and triumph over formidable adversaries. It states, "Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet." This verse assures the faithful of God's empowering presence in overcoming dangers, both seen and unseen.

Context

This verse is part of the renowned Psalm 91, a psalm of assurance and security for those who trust in God. The preceding verses establish the Lord as a refuge and fortress, promising deliverance from pestilence, terror by night, and the arrow that flies by day. Verse 13 extends these promises, shifting from protection from danger to active victory over it, symbolizing the believer's empowered authority through God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Empowerment: The core message is God's promise to not only shield His faithful but also to grant them power to overcome significant threats.
  • Victory Over Evil: The "lion," "adder," "young lion," and "dragon" are symbolic representations of powerful, dangerous, and insidious forces, often interpreted as literal enemies, dangers, or spiritual adversaries, including demonic powers. The imagery of "treading upon" and "trampling under feet" signifies complete subjugation and victory.
  • Trust and Faith: This promise of triumph is contingent upon the trust and dwelling in the "secret place of the most High" mentioned earlier in the psalm, emphasizing the covenant relationship.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery in this verse draws from ancient Near Eastern understanding of dangerous creatures:

  • The "lion" (Hebrew: ari or shaḥal) represents overt, powerful, and ferocious enemies.
  • The "adder" (Hebrew: pethen) refers to a venomous serpent, symbolizing hidden, treacherous, and deadly threats.
  • The "dragon" (Hebrew: tannin) is a significant term. While it can denote large sea creatures or serpents, in prophetic and symbolic literature, it often represents chaotic forces, oppressive empires, or even Satan himself, as seen in Revelation 12:9. This amplifies the scope of the victory promised.

Related Scriptures

This verse finds echoes throughout Scripture:

  • The concept of crushing adversaries is seen in Romans 16:20, where Paul declares that "the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly."
  • Jesus Himself gave His disciples authority over spiritual forces, stating in Luke 10:19, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
  • The ultimate triumph over the serpent's head was prophesied in Genesis 3:15, often interpreted as the first promise of a Messiah who would conquer evil.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 91:13 serves as a profound source of encouragement. It reminds us that our spiritual battles, though fierce, are fought from a position of divine empowerment. It's not about our own strength, but God's power working through us to overcome temptations, spiritual attacks, and the schemes of the enemy. This verse calls us to confidently walk in the authority given to us through Christ, trusting that God will grant us victory over all that seeks to harm or hinder us.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 10:19

    Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

  • Daniel 6:22

    My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

  • Mark 16:18

    They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

  • 1 Samuel 17:37

    David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

  • 2 Timothy 4:17

    Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

  • Romans 16:20

    And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen.

  • Judges 14:5

    Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.

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