Scurge And Destruction
I’m trying to put Psalm 91 into a modern context with the threat of H5 bird flue hanging over our heads especially in psalm 91 vs 6 I’m examining what the Hebrew words are which are is translated as destruction and plague?
In Psalm 91 verse 6 the Hebrew words for "plague" and "pestilence" in the first half of the verse is deber (דֶּבֶר), and the word for "destruction" or "scourge" in the second half is qeṭeb (קֶטֶב). [1, 2]
Hebrew Word Breakdown
Plague / Pestilence (deber / דֶּבֶר): Refers to a deadly pestilence or epidemic that moves in the darkness.
Destruction / Scourge (qeṭeb / קֶטֶב): Refers to a sharp ruin, devastation, or destroying plague that strikes at midday.
But ohhh it is different with Jesus in us on the scene, the New Testament says that with Jesus’ words you can rebuke sickness and it will leave you.
The specific account where Jesus verbally rebukes an illness and it immediately leaves occurs in the New Testament Gospel of Like 4:39 when He heals Peter's mother-in-law of a high fever.
And did Jesus say the things he did we can do too?
Yes, Jesus said that people who believe in Him will do the same works he did, and even greater ones.
You can read this exact statement in the Gospel of John, (John 14:12 “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father. “ Jesus’s tells His followers that they will do the works He has been doing because He is going to the Father.
The Biblical Account
The Passage: Luke 4:38-39 “And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
also recorded similarly in
Matthew 8:14-15 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
and Mark 2:29-31.
What happened: Jesus entered Simon (Peter's) house where his mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever. The text states that Jesus "stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her; and immediately she arose and served them"
Im going to show you Ken Fish on his use of qeteb from psalm 91 verse 6
The deliverance minister Ken Fish teaches that qeteb (keteb) in Psalm 91:6—translated as "destruction" or "wastes at noonday"—personifies a specific demonic spirit. Referencing the Hebrew & Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament he notes that ancient rabbis viewed this entity as a malignant spiritual force behind global plagues and pestilences.
Ken Fish's Interpretation of Qeteb
Linguistic Insight: Fish examines the twin words in verse 6 (deber for pestilence/plague in the dark, and qeteb for destruction at noonday).
Demonic Attribution: Utilizing scholarly lexicons, he highlights that rabbinic tradition categorized qeteb not just as an abstract act of nature, but as a named, destructive demon active in broad daylight.
Deliverance Application: Fish connects this exegesis to active healing ministry, teaching that identifying and directly rebuking the spiritual root behind sickness (in Jesus' name) can bring immediate physical breakthrough during epidemics like COVID-19.
Key Details
The Action: Jesus addressed the fever directly with a "rebuke", using the Greek word epitimaō—the exact same terminology He used when commanding and driving out evil spirits of infirmity.
The Result: The departure of the sickness was instantaneous and complete, allowing her to get up and immediately resume normal physical strength.