Psalm 116:11 kjv
I said in my haste, All men are liars.
Psalm 116:11 nkjv
I said in my haste, "All men are liars."
Psalm 116:11 niv
in my alarm I said, "Everyone is a liar."
Psalm 116:11 esv
I said in my alarm, "All mankind are liars."
Psalm 116:11 nlt
In my anxiety I cried out to you,
"These people are all liars!"
Psalm 116 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 3:4 | Let God be true, though every man a liar... | God's truth vs. human unreliability |
| Num 23:19 | God is not a man, that He should lie... | God's steadfast truthfulness |
| Heb 6:18 | it is impossible for God to lie... | Emphasizes God's unwavering character |
| 2 Tim 2:13 | if we are faithless, he remains faithful... | God's faithfulness despite human failure |
| Psa 31:22 | For I said in my alarm, "I am cut off from your sight!" | Parallel expression of rash speech in distress |
| Psa 62:9 | Men of low estate are but a breath... high estate are a delusion... | All humanity is ultimately untrustworthy |
| Psa 146:3 | Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. | Warning against reliance on human power/promises |
| Jer 17:5 | Cursed is the one who trusts in man... | Condemnation of relying on human strength |
| Isa 2:22 | Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils... | Calls for redirection of trust from man to God |
| Pro 14:29 | Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. | Contrast to hasty speech |
| Pro 19:2 | ...whoever hurries with his feet misses his way. | Implies that rash actions or words lead to error |
| Pro 29:20 | Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. | Severe caution against rash verbal statements |
| Jas 1:19 | Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger... | Call for careful, unhasty communication |
| Psa 51:3 | For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. | An example of acknowledging personal failings |
| Psa 73:2-3 | But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled... for I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. | Confession of flawed thinking during distress |
| Gen 6:5 | The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. | General fallen nature of humanity |
| Jer 9:4 | Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a complete swindler, and every neighbor walks with slanders. | Direct accusation of human deceitfulness |
| Pro 20:6 | Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? | Questioning the true reliability of human claims |
| Tit 1:12 | One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." | A cultural observation on deceit, similar tone |
| 1 Jn 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. | Reassurance for those acknowledging their faults |
| Psa 145:13 | Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works. | God's absolute faithfulness vs. human untruthfulness |
Psalm 116 verses
Psalm 116 11 Meaning
Psalm 116:11 reveals a moment of deep human despair and a confession of rash judgment. Amidst profound distress, likely experiencing betrayal or lack of support from others, the Psalmist declares in a moment of panic, alarm, and haste that "all men are liars." This statement is not a theological doctrine about human nature but rather an emotional outcry of profound disappointment and cynicism born from personal suffering, highlighting the Psalmist's vulnerability and fallibility even in faith.
Psalm 116 11 Context
Psalm 116 is a deeply personal psalm of thanksgiving, wherein the Psalmist recounts a desperate time of peril (vv. 3-8, "snares of death," "pains of Sheol"). The preceding verses speak of crying out to God, who heard and delivered him from imminent death and despair. Verse 11 stands as a moment of honest confession, interjecting his lowest point of despair and the rash words spoken during it, before returning to expressions of renewed trust and commitment to the Lord. It’s set against a backdrop of life-threatening events and highlights the human tendency to question divine and human faithfulness under extreme pressure. Historically, this type of psalm often reflects an individual's deliverance from grave sickness, betrayal, or conflict, reinforcing the truth that divine help surpasses any human reliability.
Psalm 116 11 Word analysis
- I said: Refers to the Psalmist's personal confession, revealing his internal state and uttered words. This marks a vulnerable self-admission of what was spoken from the heart.
- in my haste: The Hebrew term
bechaphzi(בְּחָפְזִ֑י) signifies a state of being flustered, startled, panicky, alarmed, or in a rush. It is not a carefully reasoned statement but an emotional outcry under duress. This implies speaking or thinking under severe pressure or duress, rather than out of sober reflection. - All men: The Hebrew phrase
kol-ha'adam(כָּל־הָאָדָם) emphasizes inclusivity, suggesting every human being. This sweeping generalization reflects the Psalmist’s overwhelming disappointment or sense of betrayal experienced universally. It refers to mankind in general, signifying a broad, rather than specific, accusation. - are liars: The Hebrew word
kozvim(כֹזְבִים) means deceitful, false, disappointing, or those who fail in reliability or promises. This is a powerful accusation, portraying humanity as fundamentally unreliable, a direct contrast to the faithful nature of God repeatedly celebrated in the Psalms. - Words-group analysis:
- "I said in my haste": This phrase introduces a raw, unedited emotional outpouring. It acknowledges a momentary lapse in judgment due to extreme stress, where emotion overrode reason and faith. It shows a transparency from the Psalmist, confessing a personal failing.
- "'All men are liars'": This entire statement reflects a bitter, sweeping conclusion drawn from painful personal experience. It's a cynical outburst questioning the very fabric of human trustworthiness. The quotation marks highlight that this was the specific, impulsive thought and utterance of the Psalmist during a crisis, revealing profound disillusionment with humanity.
Psalm 116 11 Bonus section
The experience captured in this verse resonates deeply with anyone who has faced betrayal, unfulfilled promises, or a widespread sense of disappointment from others, leading to a general cynicism. The "haste" here is a crucial qualifier, indicating that the Psalmist himself doesn't stand by this statement as a sober, settled belief. It’s a confession, not a pronouncement. It mirrors instances where saints throughout history have wrestled with doubt or frustration concerning human integrity, ultimately affirming that trust placed in God alone is never misplaced. This verse subtly contrasts the changeable, often unreliable nature of mankind with the steadfast, unwavering character of the Lord, making His faithfulness even more glorious by comparison.
Psalm 116 11 Commentary
Psalm 116:11 serves as a stark reminder of human frailty and the volatile nature of emotions when under intense pressure. The Psalmist's confession, "I said in my haste, 'All men are liars,'" is not an intended theological declaration but a raw, honest admission of a cynical and sweeping judgment made during a moment of profound distress and alarm. It highlights how pain can distort perspective, leading even a faithful individual to broad accusations against humanity's trustworthiness. This verse stands as a confessional counterpoint to God's unfailing truth and reliability, a contrast the Psalmist recognizes and ultimately returns to in his praise. It teaches the importance of acknowledging our impulsive reactions, even when they are untrue, and points to God as the sole unchangeable truth in a world of human inconsistency. It reminds believers that moments of despair and doubt are real, even within a life of faith, but such feelings should be confessed and brought before the Lord.