Psalm 91:13 states believers will trample on lions and snakes; is this to be taken literally, and if so, why does no historical record confirm such extraordinary feats?

1. Text and Context of Psalm 91:13

Psalm 91:13 reads, “You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent.” This passage appears in the broader context of Psalm 91, which emphasizes God’s protection and covering for those who trust in Him (Psalm 91:1–2). The preceding verses promise refuge, deliverance from deadly pestilence, and safety under the wings of the Almighty (Psalm 91:3–12). Verse 13 then uses vivid imagery of lions and snakes, often seen in Scripture as symbols of hostile threats or deadly danger.

Psalm 91 is structured as a psalm of confidence in divine protection. Ancient Israelite readers would have understood lions and serpents both literally—as genuine threats in their environment—and figuratively, as representations of evil forces. To understand whether this verse should be taken literally, figuratively, or both, examining the immediate and broader biblical context is essential.

2. Possible Literal Interpretation

Throughout the Bible, there are instances of believers experiencing divine protection in dangerous situations, including encounters with wild animals:

- Daniel’s experience in a den of lions (Daniel 6:16–22) demonstrates God’s ability to protect His faithful ones from predators.

- Paul’s handling of a viper in Malta (Acts 28:3–6) shows believers surviving otherwise lethal threats.

Psalm 91:13, if taken literally, is consistent with these miraculous events. Still, these accounts do not necessarily describe a routine practice of trampling lions and snakes at any time believers choose. Instead, they are specific examples highlighting God’s intervention in extraordinary circumstances. The absence of continual historical records of people literally treading on lions and snakes without harm does not negate the possibility that God can—and does—miraculously protect. Rather, it points to the fact that such feats are not intended to be daily occurrences; they happen when, in His sovereignty, God chooses to intervene for His purposes.

3. Symbolic and Figurative Meaning

Lions and snakes are frequently used throughout Scripture to symbolize spiritual threats and evil forces:

- In 1 Peter 5:8, the devil is likened to a “roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

- In Genesis 3:1–15, the serpent represents the devil’s deception.

- In Luke 10:19, Jesus tells His disciples, “I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy,” indicating spiritual victory over demonic forces.

Psalm 91:13’s imagery of trampling the lion and the serpent can therefore be seen as a promise of comprehensive victory over the fiercest physical and spiritual dangers. This does not reduce the statement to mere symbolism; rather, it shows that physical threats can point to deeper spiritual realities. Both aspects stand together to illustrate the breadth of God’s protection, whether one faces natural predators or spiritual adversaries.

4. The Broader Theology of God’s Protection

The theology behind Psalm 91:13 and similar promises is that God is sovereign over creation (Psalm 24:1) and capable of delivering His people from harm. Scripture repeatedly affirms this protective characteristic of God:

- Psalm 34:7: “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.”

- Deuteronomy 33:27: “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms…”

The biblical record is consistent in portraying miraculous scenarios—such as deliverance from lions or the healing of the sick—as extraordinary works of God rather than normative, daily events. Thus, if one looks for continuous historical documentation of believers trampling on wild animals, that expectation misreads the text as a universal guarantee of superhuman feats instead of a demonstration of God’s power to protect when He sees fit.

5. Addressing the Lack of Historical Documentation

The question about historical records arises from modern expectations of detail and reporting. In Scriptural times, events like rescues from lions were occasionally recorded (e.g., Daniel 6) but were not commonplace. Lack of extensive outside reporting on repeated occurrences of trampling lions and serpents does not prove that the text is untrue; rather, it indicates that such miracles were rare interventions demonstrating God’s lordship over nature.

Moreover, ancient cultures did often record miraculous or extraordinary events, but these documents did not always survive, and those that did usually focused on major political or royal narratives. The majority of everyday life or even smaller-scale miraculous incidents could go unreported or unpreserved, especially if they occurred among common people rather than political leaders or military conquests.

6. Insights from the Original Hebrew

The Hebrew verbs used in Psalm 91:13—commonly translated as “tread on” (darakh) and “trample” (ramas)—feature elsewhere in contexts of dominion or pressing underfoot. This usage strengthens the interpretation that the verse, in its original language, conveys the idea of God-empowered triumph. Whether physical or spiritual, the message is that the faithful will not be overcome by any force so long as they abide in the Almighty.

7. Harmonizing Literal and Figurative Interpretations

Rather than treating Psalm 91:13 as purely literal or purely metaphorical, it is often best understood as conveying layers of meaning:

1. God can and does protect physically, as with Daniel in the lions’ den and Paul in Acts 28.

2. There is a broader spiritual triumph implied. Believers who trust in God have the assurance that demonic powers (symbolized by lions and snakes) ultimately hold no dominion over them.

3. The verse highlights God’s sovereignty and the believer’s security in His care, pointing beyond a single event to a lifelong principle of reliance on Him.

8. The Purpose Behind Miraculous Protection

Throughout Scripture, miracles serve to glorify God and affirm His message or messengers (e.g., Exodus 7–12; Mark 16:20). When God chooses to protect in an extraordinary way, it underscores His power and faithfulness. Consequently, the lack of continuous historical reports of mass lion-trampling does not challenge the veracity of God’s promises. Rather, it underscores that:

- The miraculous is under God’s discretion.

- True faith rests in the understanding that God can do these things but is not obligated to work them on human demand.

9. Conclusion

Psalm 91:13 is best understood in a multi-layered way, reflecting both God’s literal power to protect from physical harm (when He so wills) and His broader spiritual protection from evil. The verse should not be reduced to a guarantee that any believer can regularly perform feats like lion-trampling, nor should it be confined to an exclusively symbolic reading.

Instead, it draws believers to place their complete trust in God’s sovereign ability to guard them from every kind of harm—physical or spiritual. When historical records do not confirm repeated episodes of walking over dangerous animals, it does not negate the truth that God can and does protect in extraordinary ways, as Scripture attests. Ultimately, Psalm 91:13 reveals God’s compassionate and omnipotent character, extending confidence and hope to those who dwell under His shelter.