Psalms 91:7

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee.

A thousand {H505} shall fall {H5307}{H8799)} at thy side {H6654}, and ten thousand {H7233} at thy right hand {H3225}; but it shall not come nigh {H5066}{H8799)} thee.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it won't come near you.

Though a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, no harm will come near you.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; Butit shall not come nigh thee.

Commentary

Context

Psalm 91 is a powerful declaration of God's unwavering protection and faithfulness to those who trust in Him. It begins by establishing the dwelling place of the believer: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1). This sets the stage for the incredible promises that follow. Verse 7 specifically addresses scenarios of widespread calamity, whether from war, plague, or other forms of destruction, reassuring the faithful of their safety amidst surrounding peril. It builds upon earlier promises of deliverance from the "noisome pestilence" (Psalm 91:3).

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection Amidst Calamity: The verse vividly portrays a scene of immense destruction and loss, with "a thousand" and "ten thousand" falling. Despite this overwhelming danger, the core message is God's supernatural ability to preserve His faithful, ensuring that the calamity "shall not come nigh thee." This highlights God's unique shielding power.
  • Sovereignty and Control: It underscores God's absolute control over all circumstances, demonstrating His power to intervene directly and provide a sanctuary for those who rely on Him. This is not merely good fortune, but a deliberate act of divine will.
  • Assurance and Peace: For the believer, this verse offers profound peace and an antidote to fear in times of crisis. It assures that even when surrounded by the worst, God's presence provides an invisible barrier, bringing comfort and security.

Linguistic Insights

  • "A thousand... ten thousand": These numbers are used as hyperbole, a figure of speech employing exaggeration for emphasis. They are not literal counts but powerfully illustrate the *magnitude* of the surrounding danger and the overwhelming odds against the person, making the divine deliverance even more remarkable and miraculous.
  • "at thy side, and at thy right hand": These phrases emphasize the extreme proximity of the danger. It signifies that widespread death and destruction are occurring *very close* to the individual, yet they remain untouched, highlighting the precision of God's protective hand.
  • "it shall not come nigh thee": The Hebrew word for "nigh" (Χ Χ’Χ©, nagash) means to draw near, approach, or come close. The strong negation ("it shall not come nigh") emphatically declares an absolute immunity from the surrounding destruction for the one dwelling in God's shelter.

Practical Application

Psalm 91:7 offers tremendous encouragement for believers facing various forms of adversity in contemporary life:

  • Trust in God's Unwavering Protection: This verse calls us to cultivate deep trust in God's faithfulness, especially when surrounded by global crises, economic instability, health scares, or personal threats. It reminds us that our ultimate security comes from Him, not from worldly safeguards.
  • Spiritual Warfare: Beyond physical dangers, this promise can be applied to spiritual battles. In a world fraught with moral decay and spiritual darkness, God promises to shield His people from the destructive forces of evil and the schemes of the adversary (Ephesians 6:11).
  • Perspective in Adversity: While God's protection is real, this verse does not guarantee immunity from all suffering or physical death in a fallen world. Instead, it speaks to God's sovereign care, His presence *through* the trial, and ultimate deliverance, whether in this life or through eternal salvation. It assures us that no true harm, no spiritual destruction, can ultimately befall those who are truly in Christ.
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 12:12 (16 votes)

    For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I [am] the LORD.

  • Exodus 12:13 (16 votes)

    And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye [are]: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy [you], when I smite the land of Egypt.

  • Genesis 7:23 (13 votes)

    And 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.

  • Numbers 14:37 (11 votes)

    Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.

  • Numbers 14:38 (11 votes)

    But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, [which were] of the men that went to search the land, lived [still].

  • Psalms 32:6 (11 votes)

    For 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 14:10 (7 votes)

    And 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.