Psalm 91:6

Psalm 91:6

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

a. NLT: Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

b. NIV: nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

c. Amplified Bible:  Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.

d. Septuagint [Listed under Psalm 90:6]: [nor] of the [evil] thing that walks in darkness; [nor] of calamity, and the evil spirit at noon-day.

e. Stone Edition Torah/Writings/Prophets: nor the pestilence that walks in gloom; nor of the arrow that flies by day;

1. “Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness…”

a. pestilence [1698 * deber][Gesenius:  pestilence, plague, murrain, cattle disease, cattle-plague.][Strong: a pestilence:--murrain, pestilence, plague.]

b. walketh [1980 * halak][Strong: a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread, still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.]

c. darkness [652 * ‘ophel][Gesenius: darkness, gloom, spiritual unreceptivity, calamity (fig.)] [Complete Word Study Dictionary Old Testament: A masculine noun, used only in poetry to denote darkness, gloom, especially a thick darkness. Although the term can be used in reference to physical darkness (Job 28:3; Psalm 91:6), it is more often used in a figurative sense to designate things like obscurity (Job 3:6); death (Job 10:22); evil (Job 23:17; 30:26; Psalm 11:2). In Isaiah 29:18, the term has both literal and a figurative meaning in reference to the blind.]

d. Rabbinic thought on this verse part of the verse focuses on demonic activity. Many seeds of truth presented in the Old Testament, such as this one are further revealed in the New Testament. The words in this verse speak of a “pestilence”, a disease or plague that “walks” in darkness. What a fascinating word picture! According to Blue Letter Bible this word is translated “go” 217 times and “walk” 156 times. The Bible says that within Satan’s kingdom there are ranks of spirits or demons. The Apostle Paul lists some of them in Ephesians 6:12. Within these ranks, or authority levels of evil there are spirits that focus on a particular form of evil. Acts 16:16 speaks of a “spirit of divination”, that is a spirit that focuses on occult manifestation. In Luke’s Gospel (Luke 13:11), he mentions Jesus casting out of a woman a “spirit of infirmity”, a spirit or a devil that caused her sickness and disease. Ultimately all sickness and disease originates from the devil and tied directly from the fall of man but not every sickness is caused by a spirit, but the Bible clearly says some are. In Psalm 91:6 God’s word speaks to believers to not be afraid of a pestilence, a spirit of sickness and disease that walks in darkness. We need to build are faith in these truths, to enable us to withstand in the evil day. In Christ we have been given authority over all the work of the enemy. We have been given authority over all evil spirits.

1). Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

2). Ephesians 1:15-23 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

2. “…nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.”

a. destruction [6986 * geteb][Strong: from an unused root meaning to cut off; ruin:--destroying, destruction.