Bible Strands
Psalms 118:6
The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist speaks from personal distress after receiving deliverance, addressing the community that will later sing this song.
The words — The Hebrew לֹא אִירָא (lo' ira) literally reads "I will not be afraid," while מַה יַּעֲשֶׂה אָדָם (mah ya'aseh adam) translates to "what will man do."
The thread — This declaration parallels the confidence in Hebrews 13:6 and Psalm 56:4, while echoing the theological premise of Romans 8:31 regarding divine support.
Why it lands — The text states Yahweh's presence removes fear and reduces human opposition to a question. This leads to the inference that divine alignment neutralizes earthly threats.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Cross-references
- Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
- Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- Psalms 56:4 In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
- Psalms 56:11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
- Micah 7:8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
- Psalms 27:1 Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?
- Psalms 56:9 Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.
- Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
- Jeremiah 20:11 But the LORD is with me like a fearsome warrior. Therefore, my persecutors will stumble and will not prevail. Since they have not succeeded, they will be utterly put to shame, with an everlasting disgrace that will never be forgotten.
- Isaiah 51:12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?