King James Version

What Does Psalms 91:15 Mean?

Psalms 91:15 in the King James Version says “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. — study this verse from Psalms chapter 91 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Psalms 91:15 · KJV


Context

13

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

14

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. long: Heb. length of days


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God promises: "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him" (Hebrew yiq-ra'eni v-e'enehu immo-anokhi v-tzarah achalletzehu va-akhab-dehu). Four divine commitments: answer prayer, accompany in trouble, deliver, and honor. The sequence progresses: God hears, God is present, God rescues, God exalts. The condition is calling upon God—prayer expressing dependence. This verse assures that those who dwell in God's presence (vv.1-2) will experience His intervention.

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Historical & Cultural Context

These promises echo throughout Scripture. God answered patriarchs, Moses, prophets, and apostles. "I will be with you" appears repeatedly (Genesis 28:15, Exodus 3:12, Joshua 1:9, Matthew 28:20). The pattern: those who call, God answers. Yet "deliverance" doesn't always mean immediate relief—sometimes God sustains through suffering (2 Corinthians 12:9). The ultimate "honor" comes at resurrection (Philippians 3:21).

Reflection Questions

  1. How have you experienced God answering, accompanying, delivering, or honoring you?
  2. What does it mean that God is "with you in trouble" even when He doesn't immediately remove it?
  3. How does Christ's call from the cross (Matthew 27:46) and resurrection demonstrate God's pattern of hearing, accompanying, delivering, and honoring?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
יִקְרָאֵ֨נִי׀1 of 7

He shall call

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

וְֽאֶעֱנֵ֗הוּ2 of 7

upon me and I will answer

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

עִמּֽוֹ3 of 7
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אָנֹכִ֥י4 of 7
H595

i

בְצָרָ֑ה5 of 7

him I will be with him in trouble

H6869

transitively, a female rival

אֲ֝חַלְּצֵ֗הוּ6 of 7

I will deliver

H2502

to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflexive) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight); present, strengthen

וַֽאֲכַבְּדֵֽהוּ׃7 of 7

him and honour

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same


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 91:15 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 91:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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