Devine Scripture

Psalms 91:13

What does Psalms 91:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 91:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 91:13 means

This verse promises the believer supernatural power and victory over formidable earthly dangers. "Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder," which represent fierce, overt threats and cunning, venomous dangers. "The young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under foot" reiterates this dominion, symbolizing triumph over powerful and deceptive enemies. This imagery signifies not just protection *from* these dangers, but active conquest *over* them, granting authority and overcoming power to the one who trusts in God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

You will put your foot on the lion and the snake; the young lion and the great snake will be crushed under your feet.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

On lion and asp thou treadest, Thou trampest young lion and dragon.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and the adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under foot.

Context

This verse escalates the promise of protection from mere deliverance to active dominion over dangers, following the angelic care described in verse 12. It moves beyond avoiding harm to actively overcoming powerful and dangerous forces. This dramatic promise serves as a climax to the psalmist's declarations, setting up God's direct voice and personal promises in the final verses of the psalm.

v.12They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

v.13This passage

v.14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 10:19

    Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.

  • Daniel 6:22

    My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, and 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.

  • Acts 28:3

    But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

  • Romans 3:13

    Their throat is an open sepulchre; With their tongues they have used deceit: The poison of asps is under their lips:

  • Judges 14:5

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

  • Isaiah 27:1

    In that day Jehovah with his hard and great and strong sword will punish leviathan the swift serpent, and leviathan the crooked serpent; and he will slay the monster that is in the sea.

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