Psalms 118:1-16: a reflection

1Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. 2Let Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever. 3Let the house of Aaron now say that his loving kindness endures forever. 4Now let those who fear the LORD say that his loving kindness endures forever. 5Out of my distress, I called on the LORD. The LORD answered me with freedom. 6The LORD is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 7The LORD is on my side among those who help me. Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me. 8It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in man. 9It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in princes. 10All the nations surrounded me, but in the LORD’s name I cut them off. 11They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In the LORD’s name I indeed cut them off. 12They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In the LORD’s name I cut them off. 13You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but the LORD helped me. 14The LORD is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. 15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly. 16The right hand of the LORD is exalted! The right hand of the LORD does valiantly!”

This psalm of thanksgiving includes a line that names a fundamental choice about where we place our confidence: It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in man. And again, for emphasis: It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. The psalmist, having called on the LORD in distress and been answered, draws the lesson: God is a surer refuge than any human help, even the help of the influential.

Notice the comparison the psalm draws: taking refuge in the LORD, versus putting confidence in man, even in princes. Human help is real and has its place; but it is not the surest refuge. People fail, disappoint, prove unable to help when help is most needed; even princes, the strong and influential, are limited and unreliable as an ultimate refuge. But the LORD does not fail; he is a surer refuge than any human help. It is better, the psalm says, to take refuge in him.

That comparison searches where we actually place our confidence. When we are in need or distress, we often put our confidence in human help, in people, in those with influence or resources, looking to them as our refuge. And human help has its place; but it is not the surest refuge, for people fail and disappoint. It is better to take refuge in the LORD, who does not fail, than to put our ultimate confidence in people, even the most capable. When you are in need, do not put your ultimate confidence in human help, in people or those with influence, as though they were your surest refuge; take refuge in the LORD, who is a surer refuge than any human help. Human help has its place, but it fails; God does not. Place your deepest confidence in the LORD, not in people, however capable; it is better to take refuge in him than to put your confidence in man, even in princes, for he alone is the refuge that will not fail.

Lord, this psalm of thanksgiving names a fundamental choice: it is better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in man; better to take refuge in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. The psalmist, having called on you in distress and been answered, draws the lesson: you are a surer refuge than any human help. Let that comparison search where I actually place my confidence. When I am in need or distress, I often put my confidence in human help, in people, in those with influence or resources, looking to them as my refuge. And human help has its place; but it is not the surest refuge, for people fail, disappoint, prove unable to help when help is most needed; even the most capable are limited and unreliable as an ultimate refuge. But you do not fail; you are a surer refuge than any human help. When I am in need, keep me from putting my ultimate confidence in human help, in people or those with influence, as though they were my surest refuge; help me take refuge in you, who are a surer refuge than any human help. Human help has its place, but it fails; you do not. Help me place my deepest confidence in you, Lord, not in people, however capable; for it is better to take refuge in you than to put my confidence in man, and you alone are the refuge that will not fail. Be my refuge.