Psalms 91:13

"They will bear you up in their hands, so that you won’t dash your foot against a stone."

Key Reflection

In Psalms 91:13, the imagery of being carried in someone's hands signifies divine protection and support, ensuring safety from harm. For the original audience, this image would evoke a sense of physical security, as if walking on a dangerous path where one could easily stumble and fall—perhaps referring to treacherous terrain or metaphorical dangers like enemies or sin. The assurance is that God’s hand will guide and uphold them, preventing such mishaps.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder -Thou shalt be safe among dangers, as if the rage of the lion were restrained, and he became like a lamb, and as if the poisonous tooth of the serpent were extracted. CompareMark 16:18. The word used here to denote the “lion” is a poetic term, not employed in prose. The word rendered “adder” is, in the margin, asp. The Hebrew word -פתןpethen- commonly means viper, asp, or adder. SeeJob 20:14, note;Job 20:16, note; comparePsalms 58:4;Isaiah 11:8. It may be applied to any venomous serpent. The young lion -The “young” lion is mentioned as particularly fierce and violent. SeePsalms 17:12. And the dragon ... -Hebrew,תניןtannı̂yn.

Related Verses

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