The Lord Is With Me: How to Overcome the Fear of Man (Psalm 118:6)

🛡️ The Antidote to Intimidation: Why “Mere Mortals” Cannot Break You ✨

Have you ever felt the cold grip of intimidation?

Maybe it’s a boss who holds your career in their hands. Maybe it’s a toxic family member whose text message makes your stomach drop. Or maybe it’s the collective pressure of a culture that hates what you believe.

Fear of people is a paralyzing trap. It makes us edit our words, hide our faith, and shrink back from our calling.

But Psalm 118:6 offers a weapon to cut through that fear. It isn’t a soft, comforting pillow; it is a blade of light.

“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” —Psalm 118:6 (KJV)

This verse forces a comparison. On one side: The Creator of the Universe. On the other: “Mere mortals.” When you do the math, the fear evaporates.

Today, let’s learn how to stare down intimidation by looking up at the One who stands beside you.

Part I: The Song Before the Slaughter 📜

The Context of the Hallel 🎶

To truly feel the weight of this verse, you have to know when it was sung.

Psalm 118 is the climax of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), the hymns sung during the Passover meal. This means that on the night Jesus was betrayed—minutes before He went to Gethsemane—He sang this verse.

Imagine the scene. Jesus knew Judas was selling Him out. He knew the Sanhedrin was plotting. He knew Pilate would wash his hands. He knew Roman soldiers were preparing the whip.

Yet, in the upper room, Jesus sang: “The LORD is on my side… what can man do unto me?”

He wasn’t denying the pain that was coming. He was declaring that man’s worst (death) could not stop God’s best (resurrection).

For more on finding strength in the face of suffering, read Strength in Struggles: Philippians 4:13 Will Carry You.

Part II: The Theology of “Mere Mortals” ⚖️

The Infinite vs. The Finite 🐜

The verse contrasts Yahweh (The Eternal I AM) with Adam (Man/Humans).

• God: Eternal, Omnipotent, Unchanging.
• Man: Created from dust, limited, breath in his nostrils.

When we fear people, we have temporarily forgotten who God is. We have magnified the ant and minimized the Giant.

Psalm 118:6 recalibrates our vision. It reminds us that even the most powerful CEO, politician, or enemy is just a “mere mortal” limited by God’s sovereignty. They can only do what God permits them to do.

“He is With Me” 🤝

The Hebrew phrasing implies, “The Lord is for me.” He isn’t just a spectator; He is an active Ally.

If the Lord is for you, the odds are always in your favor, even if the whole world is against you.

For a deeper dive into God’s protective presence, see He Will Command His Angels Concerning You: Psalm 91.

Part III: 3 Common Misconceptions About Psalm 118:6 💡

Misconception 1: “If I claim this, no one can hurt me.”

• Correction: The psalmist isn’t saying people can’t inflict pain. They can fire you, sue you, or even kill the body (Matthew 10:28). The verse means they cannot do ultimate, lasting harm. They cannot touch your soul, steal your salvation, or alter your eternal destiny.

Misconception 2: “I am arrogant because God is on my side.”

• Correction: This isn’t a chant for arrogance; it’s a cry of dependence. The psalmist isn’t trusting in his own toughness; he is trusting in God’s nearness. It is humble confidence, not pride.

Misconception 3: “Fear is a sin.”

• Correction: Feeling the emotion of fear isn’t a sin; staying trapped in it is. The psalmist says, “I will not be afraid”—it is a choice of the will to trust God despite the trembling emotions.

Conclusion: The Final Word Belongs to God 🌟

What can mere mortals do to you?

They can shout. They can threaten. They can reject.

But they cannot separate you from the love of God. They cannot unsave your soul. They cannot stop God’s plan for your life.

Jesus faced the ultimate “what man can do”—the Cross—and He turned it into a throne. Because He lives, you don’t have to live in fear of anyone.

Reflection: Who is the “mortal” you are fearing today? Take a moment to mentally place them next to the Creator of the stars. Do they still look so big?