Why Did Satan Cite The Psalms?

Satan’s Use of Scripture  

“He will command his angels concerning you... lest you strike your foot against a stone” (91:11-12). This quote from the Prince of Demons is ironic since Jews in Jesus’ day used Psalm 91 as a prayer against demonic forces!  

Psalm 91 in Jewish Translations  

In Hebrew, the psalm says not to fear “the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noon” (91:5-6). The Greek Septuagint teaches not to fear “the thing that walks in darkness… and the demon (δαιμονίον; daimonion) at noon.” (90:5-6 LXX). The later Aramaic translators added even more demons: “You shall not fear the terror of the demon that goes about in the night… nor the company of demons that destroy at noon…. No plague or demons shall come near your tent.” (PsTargum 91:5-6, 10-11).  

Satan’s Silly Mistake  

So, it turns out that the devil’s decision to cite Psalm 91 was the worst possible choice to make. Since Psalm 91 was a prayer that guarded against demons, Satan chooses verses that were meant to drive him away! This comedy of satanic errors would have elicited a hearty laugh from Matthew’s original readers, and it shows that, according to evangelist, the devil is a bit of a dunce! Enroll now and get UNLIMITED access to 50 Biblical courses, and many “invisible” stories will become apparent to you!

Get UNLIMITED access to our library of courses! (CLICK HERE)