Book of Psalm Chapter 91 Vs. 5
- lastdays13
- Nov 3, 2025
- 8 min read
My Refuge and My Fortress
Psm. 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Thou shalt not...
לֹא
lō’, לוֹא
lô’, לֹה
lōh: An adverb meaning no, not. The term is primarily utilized as an ordinary negation, as in Genesis 3:4: "You will not surely die" (NIV cf. Jdg. 14:4; Psm. 16:10). Often it is used to express an unconditional prohibition, thus having the force of an imperative: "You shall not (= do not ever) steal"(Exo. 20:15 NIV; cf. Jdg. 13:5). Frequently, it functions as an absolute in answer to a question (Job 23:6; Zec. 4:5). The word is also employed in questions to denote that an affirmative answer is expected (2Kgs. 5:26; Jon. 4:11). When it is prefixed to a noun or adjective, it negates that word, making it have an opposite or contrary meaning (e.g., god becomes non-god; strong becomes weak; cf. Deu. 32:21; Pro. 30:25). When prefixed by the preposition be, meaning in or by, the combined term carries the temporal meaning of beyond or before (Lev. 15:25); the meaning without is also not uncommon for this combination (Job. 8:11). A prefixed preposition le, meaning to or for, gives the term the meaning of without (2Chr. 15:3) or as though not (Job 39:16). Occasionally, the word suggests the meaning not only, on account of the context (Deu. 5:3).
be afraid...
יָרֵא
yārē’: A verb meaning to fear, to respect, to reverence, to be afraid, to be awesome, to be feared, to make afraid, to frighten. The most common translations are to be afraid, to fear, to fear God. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" is a famous use of the noun (Pro. 1:7 NIV); the famous narrative of the near sacrifice of Isaac proved to God that Abraham feared Him above all (Gen. 22:12); people who feared God were considered faithful and trustworthy for such fear constrained them to believe and act morally (Exo. 18:21). The midwives of Pharaoh feared God and did not kill the newborn Hebrew males (Exo. 1:17, 1:21). The fear of the Lord was closely tied to keeping God's decrees and laws (Deu. 6:2); people who fear God delight in hearing of His deeds for His people (Psm. 66:16). The God of Israel was an object of respectful fear (Lev. 19:30; 26:2) for Obadiah and Hezekiah (1Kgs. 18:3, 18:12; Jer. 26:19). In addition, because Israel feared and worshiped other gods, they were destroyed by Assyria (Jdg. 6:10; 2Kgs. 17:7, 17:35). They were to worship and fear only the Lord their God (Jos. 24:14). Israel had an unnecessary and unhealthy fear of the nations of Canaan (Deu. 7:19). The verb describes the fear of men: Jacob feared Esau, his brother (Gen. 32:7,8); and the official in charge of Daniel feared the king (Dan. 1:10). In the sense of respectful fear, each person was to honor his mother and father (Lev. 19:3). As a stative verb, it describes a state of being or attitude, such as being afraid or fearful: a man afraid of war was to remove himself from the army of Israel (Deu. 20:3, 20:8; Jdg. 7:3); as a result of rebellion, Adam and Eve were afraid before the Lord (Gen. 3:10).
In the passive form, the word expresses the idea of being feared, held in esteem: God was feared and awesome (Exo. 15:11; Psm. 130:4); His deeds were awe-inspiring (Deu. 10:21; 2Sam. 7:23); the Cushites were an aggressive people feared by many (Isa. 18:2); even the threatening desert area was considered fearful or dreadful (Deu. 8:15).
The factitive or intensive form means to frighten or to impart fear: the wise woman of Tekoa was frightened by the people (2Sam. 14:15); and the governor of Samaria, Sanballat, attempted to frighten Nehemiah so that he would not rebuild the wall of Jerusalem (Neh. 6:9).
for the terror...
מִן
min, מִנִּי
minniy, מִנֵּי
minnēy: A preposition used to indicate from, out of, away from; more than: after, since; immediately; because of, since, so that; without; direction as southward, etc.). Its spelling varies according to its location and usage. Its basic meaning is from, away from, out of. Its basic meanings only can be noted here, but its exact meaning is easily discerned from its context: (1) With verbs, it expresses separation spatially or figuratively (Exo. 19:14; Deu. 22:8; Jos. 10:7). It can be used with a verb not indicating separation, e.g., to stay away from strife (Pro. 20:3; Isa. 14:19). (2) With the basic sense of out of, from (Gen. 3:22-24; 4:10; 34:26; Exo. 2:10; 8:9,5; Jdg. 15:7; Psm. 40:2,3), it often indicates what something is made of or formed from (Gen.2:19; Hos. 13:2). With a pronominal suffix meaning from it, it means of one piece with it (Exo. 25:19, 25:31). It indicates a cause for something, on account of, because (Exo. 2:23; 6:9; 1Kgs. 14:4; Pro. 20:4; Isa. 53:5). (3) It is used to mean something is a part of something else, a part or share of it (Gen. 6:19; 7:8; 39:11; Num. 16:2). It indicates some of in an indefinite sense (Exo. 16:27; Lev. 25:49; Psm. 137:3). When repeated it means some . . . others or its equivalent expression (1Chr. 9:28-29). (4) It is used to mark time: from, since (Deu. 9:24), from a certain day or time (Lev. 22:27; Num. 15:23; 1Sam. 18:9). It is used in phrases to mean from ancient times, antiquity (Hab. 1:12); from of old (Isa. 42:14). It indicates right after a certain time (Gen. 38:24; Jos. 23:1; Ezk. 38:8). (5) Paired with ‛aḏ it usually means from . . . even to, as far as (Gen. 10:19; 15:18; Exo. 11:7; Jer. 51:62). In a figurative sense, this same construction can mean e.g., from young . . . to old, both inclusive (Gen. 19:4; 1Sam. 5:9; Jer. 6:13). (6) It may further indicate than, in comparisons (Lev. 21:10; Jdg. 14:18). (7) Prefixed to an infinitive, it is often translated as from (Gen. 16:2); a few times as on account of or because (Deu. 7:7-8); or temporally as since or after (Num. 24:23; Isa. 44:7). (8) It is often attached to other words in compounds and is sometimes used in front of infinitives of verbs: e.g., with ‛āḇaḏ meaning from serving (Exo. 14:5); with bāla‛ meaning from destroying (Lam. 2:8). (9) It is used in front of a verb form once as a conjunction indicating a negative purpose, "that . . . not" (Deu. 33:11). Other uses almost always fall under one of the above categories.
פַּחַד
paḥaḏ: A masculine singular noun translated dread, terror. This dread was often caused by the Lord (1Sam. 11:7; Job 13:11; Isa. 2:10, 2:19, 2:21). The dread could cause trembling (Job 13:11; Psm. 119:120). The noun often occurs in a cognate accusative construction (see pāḥaḏ) (Deu. 28:67; Job 3:25; Psm. 14:5). A unique use of the term is found in Gen. 31:42, often translated the Dread or Fear of Isaac, parallel to the God of Abraham.
by night;...
לַיְלָה
laylāh, לָיִלָ
lāyilā, לַיִל
layil: A masculine noun meaning night, midnight. This Hebrew word primarily describes the portion of day between sunset and sunrise (Gen. 1:5; cf. Psm. 136:9). Figuratively, it signifies the gloom or despair that sometimes engulfs the human heart from an absence of divine guidance (Mic. 3:6); calamity (Job 36:20); or affliction (Job 30:17). Nevertheless, even in the dark night of the soul, the Lord gives His people a song of joy (Job 35:10; Psm. 42:8,9).
nor for the arrow...
מִן
min, מִנִּי
minniy, מִנֵּי
minnēy: A preposition used to indicate from, out of, away from; more than: after, since; immediately; because of, since, so that; without; direction as southward, etc.). Its spelling varies according to its location and usage. Its basic meaning is from, away from, out of. Its basic meanings only can be noted here, but its exact meaning is easily discerned from its context: (1) With verbs, it expresses separation spatially or figuratively (Exo. 19:14; Deu. 22:8; Jos. 10:7). It can be used with a verb not indicating separation, e.g., to stay away from strife (Pro. 20:3; Isa. 14:19). (2) With the basic sense of out of, from (Gen. 3:22-24; 4:10; 34:26; Exo. 2:10; 8:9,5; Jdg. 15:7; Psm. 40:2,3), it often indicates what something is made of or formed from (Gen. 2:19; Hos. 13:2). With a pronominal suffix meaning from it, it means of one piece with it (Exo. 25:19, 25:31). It indicates a cause for something, on account of, because (Exo. 2:23; 6:9; 1Kgs. 14:4; Pro. 20:4; Isa. 53:5). (3) It is used to mean something is a part of something else, a part or share of it (Gen. 6:19; 7:8; 39:11; Num. 6:2). It indicates some of in an indefinite sense (Exo. 16:27; Lev. 25:49; Psm. 137:3). When repeated it means some . . . others or its equivalent expression (1Chr. 9:28-29). (4) It is used to mark time: from, since (Deu. 9:24), from a certain day or time (Lev. 22:27; Num. 15:23; 1Sam. 18:9). It is used in phrases to mean from ancient times, antiquity (Hab. 1:12); from of old (Isa. 42:14). It indicates right after a certain time (Gen. 38:24; Jos. 23:1; Ezk. 38:8). (5) Paired with ‛aḏ it usually means from . . . even to, as far as (Gen. 10:19; 15:18; Exo. 11:7; Jer. 51:62). In a figurative sense, this same construction can mean e.g., from young . . . to old, both inclusive (Gen. 19:4; 1Sam. 5:9; Jer. 6:13). (6) It may further indicate than, in comparisons (Lev. 21:10; Jdg. 14:18). (7) Prefixed to an infinitive, it is often translated as from (Gen. 16:2); a few times as on account of or because (Deu. 7:7-8); or temporally as since or after (Num. 24:23; Isa. 44:7). (8) It is often attached to other words in compounds and is sometimes used in front of infinitives of verbs: e.g., with ‛āḇaḏ meaning from serving (Exo. 14:5); with bāla‛ meaning from destroying (Lam. 2:8). (9) It is used in front of a verb form once as a conjunction indicating a negative purpose, "that . . . not" (Deu. 33:11). Other uses almost always fall under one of the above categories.
חֵץ
ḥēṣ: A masculine noun denoting arrow. It was a hunting and military missile shot from a bow (1 horically in various ways: the Lord's arrows (Num 24:8; Deu. 32:23, 32:42) which were His judgments; or even His Messianic ruler sent by Him (Psm. 45:5,6). His arrow of deliverance for His people was like lightning (Zec. 9:14). The wickedness and harmful words of evil persons are described as arrows of violence (Psm. 11:2; 64:3,4; 91:5; Pro. 25:18). A fool's or demented person's words are described as arrows, firebrands, and even death (Pro. 26:18). Isaiah's Servant of the Lord is His choice arrow (Isa. 49:2). Jeremiah describes himself as the target of the Lord's arrow of judgment (Lam. 3:12).
that flieth...
עוּף
‛ûp̱: I. A verb meaning to fly, to flutter, to flicker, to glow, to shine; to grow weary. It indicates the act of flying, especially by birds (Gen. 1:20; Deu. 4:17); of a swallow in a figurative sense (Pro. 26:2). Heavenly beings fly (Isa. 6:6). It is used of the Lord flying on the cherubim (2Sam. 22:11; Psm. 18:10,11); arrows flying in their flight (Psm. 91:5); of a swift army swooping, flying (Isa. 11:14). The Lord is likened to hovering (flying) birds over their young (Isa. 31:5). To fly away may have the sense of to escape in certain contexts (Psm. 55:6,7); or the sense of dying (Psm. 90:10). It is used of the to and fro motion of a drawn sword blade (Ezk. 32:10), to brandish a sword. It is used figuratively of honor or glory flying away, disappearing (Hos. 9:11).
II. A verb meaning to brandish. It pictures the to and fro threatening movements of a drawn sword (Ezk. 32:10).
by day;...
יוֹמָם
yômām: An adverb meaning in daytime, by day. It is used to mean during the day, such as the cloud of the Lord that led the Israelites by day in the wilderness (Num. 10:34; Neh. 9:19). It is often also used in parallel to something occurring by night, such as the sun by day and the moon by night (Jer. 31:35). It comes from the Hebrew word yôm.