It Is Better to Trust in the Lord

(Ps. 118:8-9)

Mike Johnson

Psalm 118: 8-9 says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.  It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.”  These verses are a conclusion from verses 5-7, where the Psalmist cites examples of what God had done for him.  Then, based on experience, he informs us with whom we should put our trust.

We trust people to a certain degree, such as family members, close friends, perhaps our doctor, or maybe a babysitter.  Life is difficult if we do not trust anyone.  The verse is not saying we cannot trust another person but that it is “better” to trust the Lord instead of people.  Many break their commitments, lie, steal, and only look out for themselves.  Sometimes, people can be honest with good intentions, but they can only do so much in certain situations.  God, in contrast, is entirely and, without a doubt, trustworthy.  He can be trusted!

The concept of trusting God instead of man occurs throughout the Scriptures.  Jeremiah 17:5-8 tells us, “Thus says the Lord: cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord.  For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.  Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”  Psalm 9:10 points out, “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”

Verses 8-9 clearly show that it is better to put our trust in God rather than “man” and “princes.” (Perhaps verses 8-9 are intended as synonymous parallelism, i.e., “put confidence in man” is the same as “put confidence in princes.”)  It would be possible for a person to be honest and trustworthy while holding political office.  However, people who gain political offices can face many temptations to do wrong and often yield to them.  Compared to trusting God, we cannot trust people in general, and for sure, we cannot trust politicians in the same way we trust God!  We trust God from the standpoint of His providential care and through the Scriptures He has given.  We trust His Word.  It is so much better to put our trust in God!  We can always count on Him.