Psalms 118:6

6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalms 118:6 in Other Translations

KJV
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
ESV
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
NLT
6 The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?
MSG
6 God's now at my side and I'm not afraid; who would dare lay a hand on me?
CSB
6 The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalms 118:6 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 118:6

The Lord [is] on my side
Or "for me" F19; he was on the side of David, hence all his prosperity and victories, the wonderful things done by him, his exaltation to the throne, and the establishment of it; and so he was on the side of Christ, he was near unto him, at his right hand, to guide, direct, and assist him as man; and he is likewise on the side of his people, to fight their battles for them, to support them under all their afflictions, to supply all their wants, to deliver them from all evil, to carry on the work of grace in their souls, and to bring them to glory, The Targum is,

``the Word of the Lord is for my help.''

I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
David did not; he was not afraid of ten thousands of men, no, not of a whole army that encamped against him, God being for him, the strength of his life, and his salvation, ( Psalms 3:6 ) ( 27:1-3 ) ; nor did the Messiah; he was not afraid of Herod when he was told he would kill him; nor of the high priests, Scribes and Pharisees, though he knew he should fall into their hands, and they would deliver him to the Gentiles, to be scourged and crucified; nor of Judas and his band of men, who came to take him; nor of Pilate his judge, who had no power against him but what was given him. Nor have the saints any reason to fear what man can do unto them, when grace is in exercise; for what is man to God, who is but flesh, and that flesh grass? Nor can he do anything without a divine permission; is often frustrated in his attempt; and what he is suffered to do is overruled for good; and the utmost he can do is to kill the body; he cannot destroy the soul, or hinder the happiness of it; see ( Psalms 56:4 Psalms 56:9 Psalms 56:11 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (yl) "pro me", Musculus, Michaelis.

Psalms 118:6 In-Context

4 Let those who fear the LORD say: “His love endures forever.”
5 When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:6*
  • 2. S Psalms 27:1; Psalms 56:4
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