King James Version

What Does Psalms 91:10 Mean?

Psalms 91:10 in the King James Version says “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 91 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”

Psalms 91:10 · KJV

Context

8

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9

Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. This verse presents God's protective promise to those who dwell in His secret place (v.1). The absolute language—"no evil," "no plague"—expresses comprehensive divine protection for those abiding in covenant relationship with Him.

"There shall no evil befall thee" uses ra'ah (רָעָה), meaning calamity, adversity, or harm. The Hebrew construction emphasizes the certainty of the negative: "not will happen to you evil." This echoes God's promise to Israel: "I will put none of these diseases upon thee" (Exodus 15:26). The evil encompasses moral wickedness and its consequences, physical harm, and spiritual danger. Proverbs 12:21 declares: "There shall no evil happen to the just."

"Befall" is anah (אָנָה), meaning to meet, encounter, or happen to someone. The imperfect tense indicates ongoing protection: evil will not successfully overtake or meet those under God's shadow. This doesn't mean evil never approaches—the psalm mentions pestilence, arrows, and terror (v.5-6)—but that evil will not successfully strike or overwhelm the believer.

"Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling" uses nega' (נֶגַע), meaning stroke, plague, or affliction—often divine judgment. The same word describes Egypt's plagues (Exodus 11:1) and leprosy (Leviticus 13). God promises that judgment-plagues targeting the wicked will not reach the righteous. Exodus 12:13 foreshadows this: the Passover blood ensured "the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you."

"Come nigh" is qarav (קָרַב), to approach or draw near. Even plague's approach is forbidden to the believer's "dwelling" (ohel, tent/home). Physical household protection extends the promise beyond personal safety to family and home. During Egypt's plagues, "against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue" (Exodus 11:7)—God distinguished His people from the surrounding judgment.

"Thy dwelling" (ohel, אֹהֶל) means tent, tabernacle, or home. This evokes the wilderness tabernacle—God's dwelling among His people—and promises reciprocal protection: as God dwells with us (v.1), He protects our dwelling. The righteous man's household becomes sanctuary, a "little sanctuary" (Ezekiel 11:16) where divine protection extends to all within.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 91:10 continues the protective promises begun in verse 1, forming part of the psalm's central section (v.3-13) that catalogs specific dangers and corresponding divine protections. Ancient Near Eastern life involved constant threats: plague, warfare, wild animals, bandits, natural disasters. This verse addresses two primary fears: personal calamity ("evil befall thee") and household disease ("plague come nigh thy dwelling").

Plague was particularly dreaded in the ancient world. Without modern medicine, epidemics decimated populations. Biblical history records numerous plagues: Egypt's plagues (Exodus 7-12), plague after David's census killing 70,000 (2 Samuel 24:15), plague in the wilderness killing 14,700 (Numbers 16:49). Psalm 91:10's promise that plague would not approach the dwelling offered profound comfort.

The household protection element reflects ancient family structure. The patriarch's faithfulness extended protective covering over the entire household—wife, children, servants. Abraham's covenant covered his household (Genesis 17:12-13). Joshua declared: "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). Rahab's faithfulness saved her entire family (Joshua 6:25).

Satan's temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:10-11) notably skipped verse 10, quoting only verses 11-12 about angels bearing Jesus up. Why? Verse 10's condition—dwelling in God's secret place, walking in His ways—exposes presumption. The protection promises apply to those abiding in covenant obedience, not those testing God through deliberate foolishness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the promise that 'no evil shall befall thee' square with the reality that faithful believers throughout history have suffered persecution, disease, and martyrdom?
  2. What is the relationship between personal faithfulness ('he that dwelleth in the secret place,' v.1) and household protection ('thy dwelling,' v.10)?
  3. How do we distinguish between faith-filled confidence in God's protection (Psalm 91:10) and presumptuous testing of God (Luke 4:9-12)?
  4. What does it mean that plague will not 'come nigh' our dwelling—does this promise physical immunity, spiritual protection, or something else?
  5. How did God's protection of Israelite homes during the Passover (Exodus 12:13) prefigure the spiritual protection promised in Psalm 91:10?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
לֹֽא1 of 8
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תְאֻנֶּ֣ה2 of 8

“befall”

H579

to approach; hence, to meet in various senses

אֵלֶ֣יךָ3 of 8
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רָעָ֑ה4 of 8

“There shall no evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וְ֝נֶ֗גַע5 of 8

“thee neither shall any plague”

H5061

a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)

לֹא6 of 8
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִקְרַ֥ב7 of 8

“come nigh”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

בְּאָהֳלֶֽךָ׃8 of 8

“thy dwelling”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 91:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 91:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 12:21Psalms 121:7Deuteronomy 7:15Romans 8:25Job 5:24

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