Psalms 91:5
What does Psalms 91:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 91:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 91:5 means
This verse reassures the believer that they need not fear various fearsome threats. "Terror by night" speaks to the anxieties, nightmares, and unseen dangers that often arise in darkness, representing psychological and spiritual fears. The "arrow that flieth by day" refers to overt, visible, and sudden dangers or attacks that occur in broad daylight. The promise is freedom from fear, regardless of when or how the threat emerges, highlighting God's constant watchfulness over His own, bringing peace in all circumstances.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You will have no fear of the evil things of the night, or of the arrow in flight by day,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thou art not afraid of fear by night, Of arrow that flieth by day,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For thou hast given me, O Lord, a delight in thy doings: and in the works of thy hands I shall rejoice.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, for the arrow that flieth by day,
Context
Building on the previous verses, this verse continues to itemize the kinds of dangers from which God provides protection, deepening the comprehensive scope of His care. It transitions from general snares and pestilence to specific, time-related threats. This sets up verse 6, which further particularizes these fears into nocturnal and diurnal dangers, emphasizing that God's protection is effective at every moment.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 3:23
Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, And thy foot shall not stumble.
- Job 4:13
In thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falleth on men,
- Psalms 46:2
Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, And though the mountains be shaken into the heart of the seas;
- Isaiah 43:2
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
- Psalms 112:7
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: His heart is fixed, trusting in Jehovah.
- Job 24:14
The murderer riseth with the light; He killeth the poor and needy; And in the night he is as a thief.
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