For He Shall Give His Angels Charge Over Thee (Psalm 91:11-12)

2022-02-15

Unlike Adam’s temptation in the Garden, Satan tempted Jesus after forty days of fasting in the wilderness. One thing we learn about their exchanges is that Satan knows the scriptures very well. He knows them better than we do, but he always twists them for his own purpose. One of the challenges to Jesus was like this:

If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Matthew 4:6)

Satan quoted Psalm 91:11-12. Jesus, being the Word Himself, could answer him: “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matthew 4:7).

Jesus did not submit to the devil that day, for He could never do so. But what is interesting is that because He stood fast, He fulfilled Psalm 91:11-12: “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him” (Matthew 4:11).

The original psalm reads: “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:11-12).