Psalm 91:15 continues the divine monologue that began in verse 14, where God speaks directly and personally about His relationship with the one who trusts in Him.
This verse offers a comprehensive view of God’s intimate involvement in the life of the believer, highlighting His presence, responsiveness, and faithfulness in both distress and deliverance.
The King James Version (KJV) translates the verse as: “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.” This powerful statement includes four divine actions, all initiated in response to the believer’s relationship with God—prayer, trouble, deliverance, and honor.
In the original Hebrew, Psalm 91:15 reads:
יִקְרָאֵנִי וְאֶעֱנֵהוּ עִמּוֹ אָנֹכִי בְצָרָה אֲחַלְּצֵהוּ וַאֲכַבְּדֵהוּ
Transliteration: Yiqra’ēnî ve-e‘ĕnēhū, ‘immō ’ānōkhî bātsārāh, ’ăḥalləṣēhū va-’ăkhabbedēhū
The verse opens with יִקְרָאֵנִי (yiqra’ēnî), which means “He shall call upon Me.” The verb קָרָא (qārā’) means “to call, cry out, or summon,” typically used in the context of prayer or urgent appeal. The suffix -ēnî makes it first person singular—“call upon Me.” This highlights the personal and relational nature of the believer’s connection with God. It is not a mechanical religion but a dynamic interaction initiated by the one who knows God’s name (v.14).
God’s response follows with וְאֶעֱנֵהוּ (ve-e‘ĕnēhū) – “and I will answer him.” The verb עָנָה (ʿānah) means “to respond, reply, or answer,” often used in the context of divine response to human prayer. The suffix -ēhū refers to “him.” The immediacy of this clause communicates that God hears and responds when His people call, offering assurance that prayer does not go unnoticed.
The next clause introduces a comforting promise: עִמּוֹ אָנֹכִי בְצָרָה (‘immō ’ānōkhî bātsārāh) – “I am with him in trouble.” The phrase עִמּוֹ (’immō) means “with him,” and אָנֹכִי (’ānōkhî) is an emphatic form of “I,” reinforcing the idea that God personally, not distantly, accompanies His people in their trials. The noun צָרָה (tsārāh) refers to “trouble, distress, adversity, or affliction.” This statement is not a promise to avoid trouble, but a guarantee of divine presence during it—a critical nuance in interpreting Psalm 91 properly.
Following that is אֲחַלְּצֵהוּ (’ăḥalləṣēhū) – “I will deliver him.” The root חָלַץ (ḥālaṣ) means “to draw out, rescue, or equip.” In the piel stem used here, it intensifies the action: a dramatic rescue, often from great danger. The suffix again indicates the personal object—“him.” God’s rescue is not distant or generic; it is targeted, intentional, and compassionate.
Finally, God declares וַאֲכַבְּדֵהוּ (va-’ăkhabbedēhū) – “and I will honor him.” The verb כָּבֵד (kāvad) typically means “to be heavy” but, in its intensive form, is used to mean “to honor, esteem, or glorify.” It carries connotations of dignity, recognition, and value. In this context, it means that God elevates those who remain faithful in trouble, not only delivering them but also restoring or increasing their honor—a reflection of divine favor and vindication.
Syntactically, the verse follows a divine response pattern: human action (calling upon God) leads to a cascade of divine actions—God answers, is present, rescues, and honors. Each clause builds on the previous one, forming a layered promise of intimacy, intervention, and reward. This progression suggests that prayer leads to presence, which leads to deliverance, which leads to exaltation.
In theological commentary, this verse has been viewed as a central articulation of the covenantal relationship between God and the believer. In Jewish interpretation, it emphasizes that God is responsive to those who love and know Him. Prayer is not a last resort; it is the believer’s first response to trouble—and God’s ear is inclined to the cries of the righteous (cf. Psalm 34:15–17).
In Christian theology, Psalm 91:15 is often seen as a personal promise from God to those who walk in obedience and intimacy with Him. It reflects the New Testament promise found in passages like John 16:33 (“In this world you will have trouble, but take heart; I have overcome the world”) and Romans 8:28 (“all things work together for good for those who love God”). The idea of God “honoring” the believer aligns with Christ’s teaching that those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 14:11), and with Paul’s view that those who suffer with Christ will also be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17).
Alternative interpretations of this verse caution against reading it as a blanket promise that believers will always be rescued from every situation. Many godly people suffer, face persecution, or even die in faith. Therefore, some scholars argue that this verse expresses a spiritual reality—that God is always present, answers prayer, and ultimately delivers, whether in this life or the life to come. The promise to “honor” could also be interpreted as eternal reward, not just earthly vindication.
From a practical and devotional perspective, Psalm 91:15 provides deep encouragement for those enduring hardship. It affirms that God is never silent nor absent. When believers call on Him, He hears. When they suffer, He is with them. When they are trapped, He delivers. And when they are humbled or mocked, He honors them in due time. This verse invites us to be people of prayerful dependence, confident in the presence and power of our faithful God.
In conclusion, Psalm 91:15 is one of the most comprehensive promises of personal relationship and divine response in all of Scripture. Through precise Hebrew language and poetic structure, it outlines the dynamic interaction between the believer and God. It begins with a prayer, moves into presence, flows into rescue, and ends in reward. It teaches that God’s love is not passive but powerful, not distant but deeply engaged—and that those who call on Him will never be alone, unheard, or forgotten.
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