Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 118:8
[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
8, 9. It is good to take refuge in Jehovah, and not to put trust in man in princes] Cp. Psa 146:3; Psa 116:11; Psalms 62; and for the construction, see note on Psa 52:3. Artaxerxes had given Nehemiah letters to the Persian governors, and an escort of cavalry (Neh 2:7-9), but these did not prevent the hostility of Tobiah and Sanballat. Repeatedly Nehemiah ascribes the frustration of their plots to the direct interposition of God.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man – This is stated apparently as the result of his own experience. He had found people weak and faithless; he had not so found God. Compare Psa 40:4; Psa 62:8-9. Literally, Good is it to trust in Yahweh more than to confide in man. This is the Hebrew form of comparison, and is equivalent to what is stated in our version, It is better, etc. It is better,
(1) because man is weak – but God is Almighty;
(2) because man is selfish – but God is benevolent;
(3) because man is often faithless and deceitful – God never;
(4) because there are emergencies, as death, in which man cannot aid us, however faithful, kind, and friendly he may be – but there are no circumstances in this life, and none in death, where God cannot assist us; and
(5) because the ability of man to help us pertains at best only to this present life – the power of God will be commensurate with eternity.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 118:8-13
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
Confidence in. God
I. As justified by experience. It is better, says Matthew Henry, more wise, more comfortable, and more safe, there is more reason for it, and it will speed better, to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man, yea, though it be in princes. He that devotes himself to Gods guidance and government, with an entire dependence upon Gods wisdom, power, and goodness, has a better security to make him safe, than if all the kings and potentates of the earth should undertake to protect him.
II. As the inspiration of courage. What courage breathes in these words, All nations compass me about, etc. True confidence in God will always make a man invincible and fearless. The courage of Moses, Daniel, and the three Hebrew youths, and Paul, who said, None of these things move me, all grew out of confidence in God. (Homilist.)
The duty of trust in God
It is readily acknowledged that God governs the world, and interposes in all the affairs of it; yet this principle has not those pious and generous effects that might be expected; how often do we promise ourselves success from human means and visible preparations, without taking a Divine Providence into the account, or without attributing so much to it, as to our own prudence, address, or experience
I. Wherein the religious trust here recommended does consist.
1. This duty implies a humble belief that all things, by Gods blessing, will succeed well with us. I do not mean that everything should exactly correspond to our desires, or the probability of second causes; but that upon the whole matter God will appear for us, and interest Himself in our favour.
2. In order to a well-grounded trust in God, human means and endeavours must not be wanting.
3. In the use of human means, we must take care not to have recourse to such as are unlawful. How can we reconcile it, either with a common sense of piety or prudence, to acknowledge that all things come to pass by the will of Heaven, and at the same time knowingly and deliberately to act in opposition to it?
4. The main foundation of our religious trust, upon which all the fore-mentioned qualifications of it are supported, is a due regard to the laws of God and religion in general.
II. Motives and arguments to enforce it.
1. Because there is nothing but God wherein we can place an entire trust and confidence. The good state of our fleets, the conduct of our generals, the integrity and abilities of our ministers, the number and importance of our alliances, are usually the first things that come into consideration; but yet if we leave God out of the account, they all signify nothing.
2. A motive to this duty shall be taken from the nature of it; as it is the highest and noblest act of religious honour, the most sensible acknowledgment of the Eternal power and Godhead. And for this reason so many particular promises are everywhere in Scripture annexed to it; and God has as remarkably on all occasions made them good. (R. Fiddes.)
Trust in princes perilous
Voltaire for a time was the friend and familiar of Frederick the Great. He was honoured with a seat at the Kings table, and appeared almost essential to the Kings happiness. But the attachment was soon over. Royal smiles turned to frowns, and Voltaire was put under arrest at Frankfort, and there the comedy ended. Many efforts have been made to exempt Frederick from all blame in this matter and throw it upon his servants, but there the ugly fact remains, and the man who was receiving the royal flatteries was shortly afterwards detained as a prisoner. The late Prince Bismarck of Germany experienced a reverse about as great when his royal master, the young Kaiser William II, dismissed him from his office. Shortly after that event, he had an interview with the Tsar, Alexander III., and with great freedom and certainty propounded his political convictions and intentions, as if futurity belonged to him. When the Tsar suddenly interrupted him and said, Yes, I agree with you, and I place the utmost confidence in you, but areyou quite sure that you will remain in office? Prince Bismarck replied, Certainly, Majesty; I am absolutely sure that while I live I shall remain Minister. However, only five months after, he was unceremoniously dismissed from office. (H. Livesey.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 8. Better to trust in the Lord] Man is feeble, ignorant, fickle, and capricious; it is better to trust in Jehovah than in such.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
As mine adversaries do in their own numbers, and in their great confederates.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8, 9. Even the most powerful menare less to be trusted than God.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
[It is] better to trust in the Lord,…. This, with what follows in Ps 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 is trusting to a broken staff, to a mere shadow, which can yield no support or relief: it is best to trust in the Lord; he is able to help, as well as willing; he is faithful to his word, and unchangeable in his promises; whereas man, though he may have a will to help, oftentimes has it not in his power; and when it is in his power, and has promised it, he disappoints, being changeable or unfaithful. Wherefore trust not in man, but in the Lord; yea, cursed is the man that trusts in man; see Jer 17:5.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
8 It is better to trust in Jehovah He appears to state nothing but what is common-place, it being unanimously admitted, that when God and men come into comparison, he must be viewed as infinitely exalted above them, and therefore it is best to trust in him for the aid which he has promised to his own people. All make this acknowledgment, and yet there is scarcely one among a hundred who is fully persuaded that God alone can afford him sufficient help. That man has attained a high rank among the faithful, who, resting satisfied in God, never ceases to entertain a lively hope, even when he finds no help upon earth. The comparison, however, is improper, inasmuch as we are not allowed to transfer to men even the smallest portion of our confidence, which must be placed in God alone. The meaning is by no means ambiguous; the Psalmist is ridiculing the illusory hopes of men by which they are tossed hither and thither; and declares, that when the world smiles upon them they wax proud, and either forsake God or despise him. Some are of opinion that David bitterly reproaches his enemies with their being deceived in depending upon the favor of Saul. This appears to me to be too limited a view of the passage; and I question not that David here proposes himself as an example to all the faithful; in that he had reaped the full fruit of his hope, when, depending solely upon God, he had patiently borne the loss of all earthly succor. In the 9 verse, in which he substitutes princes for men, there is an extension of the idea. “Not only those who put their confidence in men of low degree act foolishly, but also, those who confide even in the greatest potentates; for the trust that is put in flesh shall at last be accursed, but the enjoyment of God’s favor will convert even death itself into life.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Psa 118:8 [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Ver. 8. It is better to trust in the Lord, &c. ] Luther on this text calleth it, Artem artium, et mirificam, ac suam artem, non fidere hominibus, that is, the art of arts, and that which he had well studied, not to put confidence in man; as for trust in God, he calleth it, Sacrificium omnium gratissimum et suavissimum, et cultum omnium pulcherrimum, the most pleasant and sweetest of all sacrifices, the best of all services we perform to God.
Than to put confidence in man
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
It is better . . . Than. Figure of speech Connotes (App-6), repeated in Psa 118:9.
better = good. By Figure of speech Heterosis (App-6), the Positive is put for the Comparative, and is so rendered.
trust = flee for refuge. Hebrew. hasah. App-69.
put confidence. Hebrew. batah. App-69.
man. Hebrew. ‘adam. App-14.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 118:8-9
Psa 118:8-9
“It is better to take refuge in Jehovah
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to take refuge in Jehovah
Than to put confidence in princes.”
No one in ancient history had found the word of princes any more unreliable than had David, His first great disappointment was with Saul the king of Israel.
“It is better to take refuge in Jehovah” (Psa 118:8-9). Why is it “better?” Barnes answered that question: “(1) It is better because man is weak … God is Almighty; (2) man is selfish … God is benevolent; (3) man is often treacherous and deceitful … God is faithful; and (4) in some emergencies, such as death, man cannot help … God can assist us in any extremity.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 118:8-9. Whether one considers man in general, or the special classes such as princes, it is better to trust in the Lord than in them.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Psa 40:4, Psa 62:8, Psa 62:9, Jer 17:5-7, Mic 7:5-7
Reciprocal: Gen 30:31 – General Jdg 5:19 – kings 1Sa 23:12 – They will 1Sa 30:6 – David 2Sa 20:2 – every man 2Ki 6:27 – whence Est 6:3 – There is nothing Psa 112:7 – trusting Psa 125:1 – that trust Psa 146:3 – Put Pro 29:25 – whoso Isa 30:7 – Their Eze 29:7 – thou didst Dan 6:16 – Thy God Dan 6:23 – because Mic 1:14 – houses 1Ti 4:10 – because 1Ti 6:17 – but
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 118:8-9. It is better to trust in the Lord It is much safer, and more to a persons comfort; than to put confidence in man As mine enemies do in their own numbers, and in their powerful confederates. Armies of men, however numerous, and, to appearance, powerful, may be routed and dispersed at once: princes may not be able to help us; if able, they may fail us, as not being willing to do it; if both able and willing, they may die ere they can execute their purpose. But that hope which is placed in God, can never, by these or any other means, be disappointed. Horne.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
118:8 [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence {d} in man.
(d) He shows that he had trusted in vain if he had put his confidence in man, to have been preferred to the kingdom and therefore he put his trust in God and obtained.