David Spoke It First: Why the Devil Cannot Quote What He Cannot Understand
Bible Study
Why Psalm 91 Is Prophecy—Not a Weapon of the Enemy
Introduction:
When Yahushua was tempted in the wilderness, Matthew 4:6 records a moment that has long been misunderstood:
“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
Many say, “The devil quoted Scripture.” But that view gives too much credit to darkness and robs the glory from The One who authored the Word.
The devil didn’t quote Psalm 91.
He twisted a prophecy he never understood—a prophecy written by David approximately a thousand years before Messiah, under the Ruach ha’Qodesh (Holy Spirit), long before Yahushua ever walked into the wilderness.
Psalm 91 is a Messianic Prophecy
Psalm 91 is often used for comfort, but it’s far more than a gentle encouragement. It is a Messianic prophecy, penned by a man who walked in deep intimacy with Yahweh and was given eyes to see beyond his time.
“You will tread upon the lion and cobra, the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.”
— Psalm 91:13
That is a spiritual war cry, not a bedtime promise.
David: "Oh, that I had wings like a Dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest." Psalm 55:6
Frederic Leighton
How Psalm 91 Connects to Genesis 3:15
Psalm 91:13 says:
“You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.”
(Psalm 91:13, ISR)
This is referring to the “Protoevangelium,” which literally means “First Gospel.” It’s found in:
Genesis 3:15 : The First Messianic Prophecy
“And I put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed. He shall crush your head, and you shall crush His heel.”
(Genesis 3:15, ISR2009)
This verse is Yahweh’s judgment on the serpent (Satan) after the fall, and it prophesies the coming Deliverer—the “Seed of the Woman”—who would crush the serpent’s head, though He would suffer in the process.
So why didn’t the Jews know?
Because they didn’t want to know. They didn’t want to serve Yahweh or love the One who loved them. Their resentment turned to pride, and their pride—Pharisaic and poisonous—blinded them from the truth that stood in front of them.But let’s not pretend it was just them. It’s not just ancient. It’s now.
It’s the same rebellion repeating itself.
Today we see it in priestly robes... and in trendy tees and tight pants. Sermons on stages, not altars. Men claiming the anointing while ignoring the Word. Preaching Paul more than Yahushua. Misquoting grace, twisting truth, drowning the Torah in entertainment.
Get off the stage, you heretics and blasphemers. Repent.
The day of your Master is at hand.
→Minor Rant Break
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The Temptation
Corwin Knapp Linson
This is one of the clearest echos of Genesis 3:15 in the Old Testament and a prophetic declaration of Messianic authority over the enemy.
“You shall tread” → direct action of trampling, aligning with “He shall crush your head.”
“Lion” and “cobra/serpent” → figures of danger, deception, and demonic power
“Trample underfoot” → a posture of dominion and total defeat
In the wilderness, Yahushua fulfilled this spiritually:
He did not fall to temptation but overcame the serpent with the Word.
And at the cross and resurrection, He fulfilled it fully:
He disarmed the powers of darkness, crushing the serpent beneath His heel.
Supporting Scriptures
Romans 16:20 – “And the Elohim of peace shall crush Satan under your feet shortly.”
Luke 10:19 – “See, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions...”
Mark 16:17–18 – Signs that follow believers include casting out demons and trampling on serpents
Summary
Genesis 3:15 = Protoevangelium → The first gospel
Psalm 91:13 = Foreshadow of victory → Messiah tramples the serpent
Yahushua is the Seed who fulfilled this with perfect obedience and sacrifice.
It foretells:
Temptation in the wilderness
Victory over the serpent
Protection by Yahweh’s angels
Deliverance from death itself
This psalm is a direct line between David’s cave and Yahushua’s wilderness.
DREAMS
Vasilij Dmitrievich Polenov
1844-1927
Yahushua, in the wilderness, deep in thought, in prayer, in communion with the Father.
David Was a Prophet—Not Just a Psalmist
David didn’t write feel-good songs. He wrote under the anointing of Yahweh’s Spirit. In his final recorded words, he testifies:
“The Spirit of YHWH has spoken by me, and His Word is on my tongue.”
— 2 Samuel 23:2
This includes Psalm 91.
David foresaw the Messiah. He felt the crushing of the serpent. He longed for Yahweh’s covering.
He wasn’t guessing—he was prophesying, And Yahushua ha’Mashiach confirms it.
‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
If David then calls him ‘Lord,’ how is he his son?”
— Matthew 22:43–45 (also Mark 12:36 and Luke 20:42–43)
The Devil Doesn’t Read Scripture—He Can’t Understand It
Let’s be clear: the enemy doesn’t study Scripture—he perverts it. He can’t discern the truth because truth is spiritually revealed.
Isaiah's Warning Against Hidden Hearts
“Go and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening,
but do not understand; keep on looking,
but do not know.’
Make the heart of this people calloused,
make their ears dull, and shut their eyes,
lest they see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
(Isaiah 6:9–10)
He’s not quoting with understanding. He’s grabbing fragments and hoping to sow doubt.
That’s why in Matthew 4, when he “recites” Psalm 91—it’s incomplete, out of context, twisted and wielded with zero authority.
Yahushua doesn’t even engage it.
He rebukes it.
The Devil Didn’t Quote the Word—He Stumbled Over It
He stumbled over a decree of his own defeat.
When he twisted the psalm, he didn’t realize he was echoing his own judgment:
He would be trampled underfoot.
He would not strike the Holy One.
He would lose.
He’s not quoting with understanding. He’s grabbing fragments and grasping straws hoping to sow doubt, in the Word made flesh— and it isn’t going to work:
“…and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “iiOn their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
(Matthew 4:6 ESV)
when he speaks, the words David said he would speak, Yahushua didn’t need to outwit him. Yahushua simply stood on the true Word, rightly divided, and clothed in righteousness.
The Glory Belongs to Yahweh—Not the Deceiver
When we say “the devil quoted Scripture,” we unwittingly place credit where it doesn’t belong.
David, led by the Spirit, wrote a battle Psalm that declared victory long before the war was visible.
It was Yahweh, not the enemy, who saw the cross, the serpent, and the wilderness before time began.
Let us not confuse the twisting of Scripture, with the truth of Scripture!
Final Reflection:
The devil cannot speak the Word of Yahweh with authority—because the Word is Yahushua; the evil one is a liar, a thief, and a devil.
He cannot quote what he does not know. He cannot understand what is sealed and blinded to him.
Only the humble, the yielded, and the Spirit-led are given eyes to see.
So yes—David saw it first. And Yahushua fulfilled it perfectly.
And Here We Find Grace…
GRACE Method™ Reflection for David Spoke it First…
GRACE perfectly encapsulates the transition from striving, to resting, in God's presence—which is at the heart of the message. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, and it's through His grace that we are able to move from struggle to peace. I invite you to pause and reflect on God's presence, how you can connect to God’s grace in a meaningful way.
Our GRACE Method™ is meant to encourage you so you can experience YHWH, Immanuel, and the Holy Spirit, in a deeper way, on a regular basis, through thought provoking Bible Study, Prayer, education, and Worship.
GRACE Method
G – Ground Yourself in Scripture
Psalm 91:13 – “You will tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.”
R – Reflect on Context
This is not a personal victory psalm—it’s a prophetic glimpse of Messiah’s triumph over the serpent.
A – Apply It to Your Life
Are you quoting Scripture out of context, or standing on it in the power of the Spirit?
Ask Yahweh to teach you what is truly yours to declare.
C – Commune with God
Ask the Father to reveal the prophetic layers in His Word. Ask Him to show you how to wield truth, not just memorize it.
E – Exalt Him
Praise Yahweh that He reveals truth to the humble and confounds the enemy with the very Word he cannot comprehend.
Share Your Faith
Has Yahweh revealed the prophetic truth of a Scripture to you that changed everything? Share it. Speak it. Testify. The truth you carry might be someone else's deliverance.
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