Psalms 118:8
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 118:8
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse isn't just saying "people let you down, so trust God." It's a comparative statement, highlighting that even the most well-intentioned or powerful human help pales in comparison to God's unfailing refuge. The psalmist found firsthand that human alliances, even those with princes, ultimately failed, underscoring that God's steadfastness offers a security no earthly power can match.
The psalmist, having just recounted his struggles against enemies who attacked him, declares a profound truth learned through bitter experience. After describing how human help failed and even powerful leaders (princes) proved unreliable, he shifts focus to where true security lies. This declaration serves as a cornerstone for the praise and confidence that follow, emphasizing that God alone is the dependable source of salvation and strength, unlike fickle and limited humanity.
Ever felt let down by someone you thought you could count on? This verse speaks directly to that deep human experience.
The Psalmist declares, 'It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.' This isn't just a casual suggestion; it's a profound conclusion drawn from life's hard lessons.
Why human trust falters:
Relying on human strength or promises is like building your house on shifting sand. It might look okay for a while, but when the storms come, it won't hold.
In a world of uncertainty, where can you find a safety net that never breaks?
The verse's powerful assertion isn't just about the weakness of man; it's about the supreme strength and faithfulness of God. Taking 'refuge' in the LORD means finding complete security and shelter in Him.
The Nature of God's Refuge:
Understand the original words
chasah · Hebrew Verb
To rely on, lean upon, or place confidence in someone or something for security and salvation; it is the fundamental act of faith.
batach · Hebrew Verb
To feel secure or confident in; to put reliance upon a person or power for safety and stability. In Scripture, true trust is exclusively reserved for God.
This verse rings true when we remember the struggles of the returned exiles. They learned firsthand that human leaders, even those initially supportive like Cyrus or Artaxerxes, could prove fickle, and that earthly powers often failed to protect them from enemies. True, lasting security was found only in reliance on the Lord.
c. 538 BC
Cyrus Permits Jewish Return
Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This initially sparks hope and a degree of trust in human leaders.
c. 536-516 BC
Temple Rebuilding Stalls
The work on the Second Temple faces significant opposition from surrounding peoples and bureaucratic hurdles under Persian rule. Trust placed in human officials and the Persian administration proves insufficient and unreliable.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah's Mission to Jerusalem
Nehemiah, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I of Persia, receives permission and an escort to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls. He initially receives support from Persian authorities.
c. 444 BC— this verse
Opposition to Jerusalem's Walls
Despite royal backing, Nehemiah and the returning exiles face intense opposition and plots from local leaders like Sanballat and Tobiah. The support from human authorities, including Persian governors, proves unreliable and fails to fully protect them.
This passage strongly echoes the sentiment of Psalm 118:8, directly contrasting the blessing of trusting in the LORD with the curse of trusting in mere human strength and flesh, highlighting the unreliability of man.
Psalm 146:3This verse directly warns against putting trust in human leaders or 'princes,' reinforcing the idea that such confidence is misplaced compared to the enduring faithfulness of God.
Isaiah 2:22This verse provides a vivid image of the futility of relying on humans, urging readers to cease 'finding his help in mankind,' which parallels the Psalmist's call to trust in the LORD.
John 2:24-25Jesus's knowledge of 'what was in man' points to the inherent unreliability and deceitfulness of human hearts, underscoring why placing ultimate trust in the LORD is the wiser and safer choice.
Romans 3:3-4Paul confronts the idea of human boasting by emphasizing God's faithfulness even when humans are unreliable, a concept that directly supports the wisdom of trusting God above all people.
gillPsalms 118:8: "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."
It is better to trust in the Lord,.... This, with what follows in Psalm 118:9 , is the conclusion from the above premises and experience; it is good to trust in the Lord; such enjoy peace, are in safety, shall not want any good thing, nor ever be ashamed and confounded: the Targum is, "it is better to trust in the Word of the Lord;'' than to put confidence in man; it is not good to put confidence in man at all; it…
clarkePsalms 118:8: "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."
Better to trust in the Lord - Man is feeble, ignorant, fickle, and capricious; it is better to trust in Jehovah than in such.
This verse isn't just saying "people let you down, so trust God." It's a comparative statement, highlighting that even the most well-intentioned or powerful human help pales in comparison to God's unfailing refuge. The psalmist found firsthand that human alliances, even those with princes, ultimately failed, underscoring that God's steadfastness offers a security no earthly power can match.
The psalmist, having just recounted his struggles against enemies who attacked him, declares a profound truth learned through bitter experience. After describing how human help failed and even powerful leaders (princes) proved unreliable, he shifts focus to where true security lies. This declaration serves as a cornerstone for the praise and confidence that follow, emphasizing that God alone is the dependable source of salvation and strength, unlike fickle and limited humanity.
The psalmist, having just recounted his struggles against enemies who attacked him, declares a profound truth learned through bitter experience. After describing how human help failed and even powerful leaders (princes) proved unreliable, he shifts focus to where true security lies. This declaration serves as a cornerstone for the praise and confidence that follow, emphasizing that God alone is the dependable source of salvation and strength, unlike fickle and limited humanity.
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c. 444 BC
God Frustrates Plots
Nehemiah repeatedly attributes the frustration of his enemies' schemes and the ultimate success of the wall-building project to God's direct intervention, not to human strength or alliances.
"It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man." — This verse isn't just saying "people let you down, so trust God." It's a comparative statement, highlighting that even the most well-intentioned or powerful human help pales in comparison to God's un…