Bible Strands
Psalms 91:13
You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God speaks to the one who dwells in His shelter, framed by angelic protection (v. 12) and the stated basis of the promise: love and knowledge of His name (v. 14).
The words — Two verbs do the work: דָּרַךְ (darakh, "to tread, step on") and רָמַס (ramas, "to trample, crush underfoot"). The first pair (lion, cobra) is treading; the second pair (young lion, serpent) is trampling — a deliberate escalation.
The thread — Luke 10:19 gives disciples authority to tread on snakes and scorpions; Mark 16:18 promises they will handle snakes and drink poison without harm; Daniel 6:22 records God shutting the lions' mouths.
Why it lands — The promise is anchored to a relationship (v. 14), not to the verse as a standalone formula. It asks the reader to see protection as a consequence of covenant faithfulness, not a guarantee of physical invulnerability.
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
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Cross-references
- Luke 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.
- Daniel 6:22 My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”
- Mark 16:18 they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”
- 1 Samuel 17:37 David added, “The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” “Go,” said Saul, “and may the LORD be with you.”
- Judges 14:5 Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him,
- Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
- Acts 28:3 Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand.
- 2 Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.
- Revelation 20:1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss, holding in his hand a great chain.
- Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan the fleeing serpent—Leviathan the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea.