Psalms 91:6

KJV

[Nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday.

KJV (with Strong's)

Nor for the pestilence {H1698} that walketh {H1980}{H8799)} in darkness {H652}; nor for the destruction {H6986} that wasteth {H7736}{H8799)} at noonday {H6672}.

Complete Jewish Bible

or the plague that roams in the dark, or the scourge that wreaks havoc at noon.

Berean Standard Bible

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the calamity that destroys at noon.

American Standard Version

For the pestilence that walketh in darkness, Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 91:6 declares divine protection for the faithful, assuring them immunity from both insidious, unseen dangers and overt, devastating calamities. This verse vividly portrays God's comprehensive shield, covering threats that strike under the cover of darkness, such as hidden diseases or spiritual attacks, as well as those that manifest openly and powerfully in broad daylight, like sudden disasters or overt destruction. It underscores the profound security and freedom from fear experienced by those who make the Most High their dwelling place and refuge.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 91:6 is an integral part of a profound psalm of trust and divine protection, building upon the foundational declaration of dwelling "under the shadow of the Almighty" in [Psalm 91:1](/psalms/91-1 "Psalm 91:1 - Dwelling in the Secret Place of the Most High"). The preceding verses enumerate specific dangers from which God delivers, including the fowler's snare and the noisome pestilence ([Psalm 91:3](/psalms/91-3 "Psalm 91:3 - Deliverance from Snares and Pestilence")), and the terror by night or the arrow that flies by day ([Psalm 91:5](/psalms/91-5 "Psalm 91:5 - No Fear of Night Terrors or Day Arrows")). Verse 6 expands this comprehensive list, using contrasting imagery of darkness and noonday to emphasize the all-encompassing nature of God's protective care, encompassing all times and all forms of threat. The psalm culminates in God's direct affirmation of His commitment to deliver and honor those who love Him ([Psalm 91:14-16](/psalms/91-14 "Psalm 91:14-16 - God's Personal Promise of Deliverance")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient world, including Israel, was perpetually vulnerable to various forms of calamity. "Pestilence" (Hebrew: _dever_) was a common and terrifying reality, often viewed as a divine judgment (e.g., the plagues in [Exodus 9:15](/exodus/9-15 "Exodus 9:15 - The Plague on Pharaoh's Heart")). These epidemics could strike suddenly and spread unseen, aligning with the imagery of "walking in darkness." "Destruction" (Hebrew: _qetev_) could refer to a range of violent, sudden, and overwhelming events, such as military attacks, natural disasters like scorching winds, or a midday ambush. The phrase "wasteth at noonday" suggests a threat that is overt, powerful, and strikes when one might expect to be most active or exposed. The psalm's assurances directly address the deep-seated fears and anxieties inherent in a society constantly exposed to such visible and invisible dangers, whether from disease, warfare, or natural forces.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of [Psalm 91](/psalms/91 "Psalm 91 - The Secret Place of the Most High") and specifically verse 6 is the **comprehensive divine protection** afforded to those who make God their refuge. This protection is presented as **all-encompassing**, covering every conceivable threat, whether hidden or overt, by night or by day. It fosters **freedom from fear**, inviting the believer to rest in God's unwavering sovereignty and care, echoing the broader biblical mandate to "fear not" ([Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do Not Fear, For I Am With You")). The psalm also highlights the **covenant relationship** between God and His people, where security is not a magical immunity but a direct result of choosing to dwell in His presence and trust in His faithfulness. This profound peace is rooted in God's character as a faithful protector and deliverer.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pestilence (Hebrew, דֶּבֶר, _dever'_):** This term refers to plague, epidemic, or any sudden, widespread disease. It often carries connotations of divine judgment or a devastating natural calamity. The accompanying phrase "walketh in darkness" vividly suggests its insidious, unseen, and often nocturnal nature, striking without warning or clear origin, much like a disease that spreads quietly before its effects are known, or a spiritual attack that operates covertly.
* **Destruction (Hebrew, קֶטֶב, _qetev'_):** This word signifies cutting off, ruin, or violent annihilation. It denotes a sudden, overwhelming, and often fatal calamity. "Wasteth at noonday" describes an overt, visible, and powerful force that strikes in broad daylight, when one might expect to be most secure or when the threat is undeniably present and overwhelming. This could refer to a sudden battle, a scorching wind, or a visible disaster that devastates openly.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness":** This clause speaks to the unseen, insidious dangers that threaten humanity. It evokes the terror of the unknown, the fear of diseases that spread silently, or spiritual attacks that operate covertly. It highlights God's protection from threats that are not immediately apparent or whose source is hidden.
* **"Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday":** In stark contrast to the previous clause, this phrase refers to overt, sudden, and devastating calamities that strike in plain sight. "Noonday" often symbolizes a time of activity, clarity, or even vulnerability to direct assault (like a midday ambush or a scorching sun). This signifies God's protection from powerful, visible forces that can bring ruin or violent annihilation, even when one is most exposed.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 91:6 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey the comprehensiveness of God's protection. The primary device is **Parallelism**, specifically **antithetical parallelism**, where the two clauses—"the pestilence that walketh in darkness" and "the destruction that wasteth at noonday"—present contrasting scenarios (hidden vs. overt, night vs. day) to emphasize the totality of God's shield. This contrast also utilizes **Merism**, where the combination of "darkness" (representing night) and "noonday" (representing day) signifies "all the time" or "every kind of danger," from the most subtle to the most obvious. Furthermore, **Personification** is evident in "pestilence that walketh" and "destruction that wasteth," giving these abstract threats agency and making them more vivid and menacing, thereby heightening the sense of God's power over them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 91:6 profoundly affirms God's character as an all-encompassing protector, whose vigilance extends to every dimension of human vulnerability. It teaches that God's shield is not limited to specific times or types of threats, but covers both the hidden terrors that lurk unseen and the overt calamities that strike with devastating force. This comprehensive protection is a testament to His sovereignty over all creation and His intimate care for those who trust in Him. Theologically, it underscores that true security is found not in human precautions alone, but in the divine presence, offering a peace that transcends the world's anxieties.

* [Proverbs 3:23-26](/proverbs/3-23 "Proverbs 3:23-26 - Walking Safely and Without Fear")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do Not Fear, For I Am With You")
* [Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world perpetually grappling with unseen viruses, economic uncertainties, natural disasters, and societal unrest, Psalms 91:6 offers a profound anchor for the soul. It calls believers to shift their primary source of security from worldly precautions to the unwavering promise of divine protection. This verse encourages us to confront our fears—whether of insidious, hidden dangers or overt, overwhelming threats—with faith, knowing that God's care is comprehensive and extends to every facet of our lives. Living out this truth means cultivating a deeper reliance on God, understanding that genuine peace and confidence come from dwelling in constant fellowship with Him and trusting in His sovereign control over all circumstances. It is an invitation to live not carelessly, but confidently, rooted in the assurance that even amidst widespread calamity, God remains our steadfast refuge.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's protection against both "darkness" and "noonday" threats impact your daily anxieties about health, safety, or the future?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to intentionally apply the truth of God's comprehensive protection, trusting Him over your fears?**
* **What practical steps can you take to "dwell in the secret place of the Most High" (as per [Psalm 91:1](/psalms/91-1 "Psalm 91:1 - Dwelling in the Secret Place")) to experience this promised security more deeply in your daily walk?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse promise that believers will never experience sickness or disaster?**

Answer: No, Psalms 91:6, like the entire psalm, does not promise absolute immunity from all suffering or physical harm in a fallen world. Rather, it promises God's protection *from* fear and His presence and deliverance *through* such events. The psalm emphasizes God as a refuge and fortress, meaning that even if a believer encounters "pestilence" or "destruction," God is their ultimate sanctuary and source of strength, ensuring their ultimate preservation and peace. It speaks to a divine commitment to deliver and sustain, not necessarily to prevent every instance of hardship. Believers are called to trust God's sovereignty even in suffering, knowing He works all things for good ([Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good")) and that suffering can refine faith ([1_peter/1-6](/1_peter/1-6 "1 Peter 1:6 - Joy in Trials")).

**What does "walketh in darkness" imply about the nature of the pestilence?**

Answer: The phrase "walketh in darkness" implies that the pestilence is an insidious, unseen, or unexpected threat. It evokes the terror of the unknown, much like a disease that spreads silently before its symptoms are apparent, or a danger that strikes under the cover of night when one is most vulnerable. It suggests a threat that is not clearly discernible, making it particularly frightening, yet God's protection extends even to these hidden dangers. This contrasts sharply with the "destruction that wasteth at noonday," which refers to overt and clearly visible calamities.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 91:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the true "shadow of the Almighty" and the ultimate refuge for humanity. While the psalm speaks of protection from physical pestilence and destruction, Christ offers deliverance from the far greater "pestilence" of sin and the "destruction" of eternal death. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus conquered the powers of darkness ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")) and disarmed the destructive forces of evil ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). For those who "dwell in Him," there is no condemnation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")), and they are given a "spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" ([2_timothy/1-7](/2_timothy/1-7 "2 Timothy 1:7 - Spirit of Power, Love, and Sound Mind")), empowering them to face any trial without fear. In Christ, believers' lives are hidden with God ([Colossians 3:3](/colossians/3-3 "Colossians 3:3 - Your Life Hidden with Christ in God")), securing them not just from earthly perils but from every spiritual foe and the ultimate judgment, offering a peace that transcends all understanding ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - My Peace I Give You")) even amidst the world's chaos.

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

Psalms 121:5

The LORD [is] thy keeper: the LORD [is] thy shade upon thy right hand.

Psalms 121:6

The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

Numbers 16:48

And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

Matthew 24:6

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Matthew 24:7

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Exodus 12:29

¶ And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that [was] in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

Exodus 12:30

And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for [there was] not a house where [there was] not one dead.