Psalm 118:8 kjv
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Psalm 118:8 nkjv
It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man.
Psalm 118:8 niv
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.
Psalm 118:8 esv
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
Psalm 118:8 nlt
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in people.
Psalm 118 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 20:7 | Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust... | Contrast human might |
| Ps 33:16-17 | No king is saved by the size of his army... | Reliance on God not power |
| Ps 40:4 | Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust... | Blessings of trusting God |
| Ps 62:8 | Trust in him at all times, you people... | Exhortation to constant trust |
| Ps 146:3-5 | Put not your trust in princes... | Futility of human reliance |
| Jer 17:5-8 | Cursed is the man who trusts in man... Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. | Clear contrast, blessings/curses |
| Isa 31:1 | Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help... | Denunciation of human alliances |
| 2 Chr 16:7-9 | Because you relied on the king of Aram and did not rely on the LORD... | Asa's failure to trust God |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. | General principle of trust |
| Matt 6:25-34 | Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life... But seek first the kingdom... | Freedom from worldly worry |
| Heb 13:5-6 | For he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper... | God's unfailing presence and help |
| 1 Tim 6:17 | As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches but on God... | Trusting God over wealth |
| Ps 5:11 | But let all who take refuge in you rejoice... | Rejoicing in God as refuge |
| Ps 7:1 | O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge... | Personal declaration of trust |
| Ps 91:2 | I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” | God as personal refuge |
| Deut 33:27 | The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. | God's eternal protection |
| Isa 2:22 | Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he? | Humility regarding human power |
| 1 Pet 5:7 | Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. | Trusting God with worries |
| Rom 10:11 | For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” | Faith leading to security |
| Nahum 1:7 | The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. | God's goodness and refuge |
Psalm 118 verses
Psalm 118 8 Meaning
Psalm 118:8 declares a foundational truth: true security and well-being are found solely in seeking refuge in the LORD, rather than placing reliance or confidence in any human being or human institution. It presents a stark contrast and an unqualified preference for divine trustworthiness over human fallibility.
Psalm 118 8 Context
Psalm 118 is a part of the Hallel psalms (Ps 113-118), traditionally sung during major Jewish feasts, especially Passover, commemorating the Exodus and God's faithfulness. This psalm is a psalm of thanksgiving and national deliverance, celebrating the Lord's enduring love and His ultimate victory. The preceding verses of Ps 118 repeatedly call for the nation, the house of Aaron, and those who fear the Lord to affirm that His steadfast love endures forever (vv. 1-4). Verses 5-7 describe the Psalmist's personal experience of crying out to the Lord in distress and receiving deliverance. Verse 8, "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man," and verse 9, "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes," serve as a foundational, unwavering principle derived from the psalmist's (and Israel's) experience, contrasting God's steadfast reliability with the inherent limitations and potential failures of any human power or individual. Historically, Israel often faced temptations to rely on alliances with powerful nations or leaders rather than exclusively on YHWH, making this verse a direct counter-cultural statement and a profound theological assertion.
Psalm 118 8 Word analysis
- It is better (טוֹב - Tov): The Hebrew word tov here conveys more than just "good." It signifies something superior, excellent, preferable, or even advantageous in the most profound sense. It's not a mere suggestion but a statement of absolute truth about where ultimate well-being and security truly lie.
- to take refuge (לַחְסוֹת - lachasot): Derived from the root chasah, this word means to flee for protection, to seek shelter, to have confidence in, or to trust. It implies a sense of dependence and finding security under the protection of a powerful entity. It's an active, intentional decision to place oneself under the Lord's wing, so to speak, for safety and preservation.
- in the LORD (בַּיהוָה - baYahweh): Yahweh (YHWH) is the covenant name of God, revealing Him as the eternally existing, faithful, and personal God who interacts with His creation and keeps His promises. To take refuge in Yahweh means trusting in His character, His power, His wisdom, and His unfailing love as revealed through His mighty acts of deliverance.
- than to trust (מִבְּטֹחַ - mibb'toach): From the root batach, meaning to rely on, to have confidence in, to be secure. The "min" prefix indicates "from" or "than," setting up a direct comparison. While chasah emphasizes finding shelter, batach leans more towards the reliance and assurance one places in a source. Here, the emphasis is on the misplaced confidence.
- in man (בָּאָדָם - ba'adam): The Hebrew adam refers to humanity in general, emphasizing its finite, mortal, and fallen nature. Placing trust in man implies reliance on human strength, wisdom, political alliances, personal connections, or even one's own capabilities, which are inherently limited, fleeting, and prone to failure or betrayal.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "It is better to take refuge in the LORD": This phrase highlights God as the ultimate and unshakeable source of security. It presents God not merely as an option but as the singular, most advantageous place for true refuge and enduring trust. The choice of "refuge" implies protection from external dangers or distress, found exclusively in the divine.
- "than to trust in man": This phrase establishes a complete dichotomy and implicit polemic against reliance on human agents. It critiques the common human tendency to seek security in what is seen or tangible (other people, institutions, wealth, power), reminding that such sources are fundamentally insufficient and unreliable, prone to failure or even deception.
Psalm 118 8 Bonus section
The strong contrast in Ps 118:8 sets up the following verse (Ps 118:9), which specifically names "princes," an even more explicit challenge to relying on human political or military power. Together, these verses encapsulate a critical theological perspective that God's people must look past transient human strength to the eternal, unwavering might of their covenant Lord. This concept counters not only external pagan beliefs (which might encourage worship of strong leaders or alliances) but also internal temptations within Israel to depend on political shrewdness or military alliances rather than Yahweh. This principle implies an inherent humility regarding human capability and a foundational understanding of divine omnipotence and faithfulness. The verse invites a life of dependence, freedom from the anxieties that stem from human instability, and courage derived from an all-sufficient God.
Psalm 118 8 Commentary
Psalm 118:8 articulates a profound spiritual principle that underpins all biblical faith: ultimate security and hope reside solely in God, never in humanity. The psalmist does not merely suggest a preference but states an absolute, divinely revealed truth using the strongest term "better" (tov). "Taking refuge" (active pursuit of divine protection) contrasts sharply with merely "trusting" (passive reliance) in finite human capabilities or figures. This verse serves as a crucial theological anchor, grounding believers in God's sovereignty and reliability. It addresses the inherent human inclination to place confidence in what is visible and accessible – whether it be leaders, armies, wealth, or personal connections. By unequivocally directing trust towards YHWH, it calls for a radical reorientation of allegiance and a practical demonstration of faith that acknowledges God alone as the guarantor of true safety and ultimate triumph. This truth transcends historical context, applying universally to personal trials, national policies, and spiritual battles, emphasizing the imperative for an uncompromised, exclusive dependence on God.