Psalms 118:8
Psalms 118:8 in Multiple Translations
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to have faith in the Lord than to put one's hope in man.
It's better to rely on the Lord than to trust in people.
It is better to trust in the Lord, then to haue confidence in man.
Better to take refuge in Jehovah than to trust in man,
It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
I will keep thy justifications: O! do not thou utterly forsake me.
It is better to trust in Yahweh than to ◄depend on/trust in► people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 118:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 118:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ט֗וֹב
לַ/חֲס֥וֹת
בַּ/יהוָ֑ה
מִ֝/בְּטֹ֗חַ
בָּ/אָדָֽם
ט֗וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
לַ/חֲס֥וֹת
châçâh
H2620
to seek refuge
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
בַּ/יהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Prep | N-proper
מִ֝/בְּטֹ֗חַ
bâṭach
H982
to trust
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
בָּ/אָדָֽם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 118:8
ט֗וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
לַ/חֲס֥וֹת
châçâh
H2620
"to seek refuge"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To seek refuge means to flee to a safe place for protection, and it can also mean to trust in God. In the Bible, it appears in Psalms and Proverbs, where people put their hope in God. This concept is important in the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to seek refuge, flee for protection 1a) to put trust in (God), confide or hope in (God) (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: have hope, make refuge, (put) trust. See also: Deuteronomy 32:37; Psalms 36:8; Psalms 2:12.
בַּ/יהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Prep | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
מִ֝/בְּטֹ֗חַ
bâṭach
H982
"to trust"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To trust means to have confidence or faith in something or someone, like the Israelites trusting in God to lead them through the desert, as seen in Psalm 23.
Definition: 1) to trust 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to trust, trust in 1a2) to have confidence, be confident 1a3) to be bold 1a4) to be secure 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to trust, make secure 2) (TWOT) to feel safe, be careless
Usage: Occurs in 117 OT verses. KJV: be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust. See also: Deuteronomy 28:52; Psalms 118:8; Psalms 4:6.
בָּ/אָדָֽם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
Prep | N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
Study Notes — Psalms 118:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 118:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 118:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 118:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 118:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 118:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 118:8
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 118:8
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 118:8
- Sermons on Psalms 118:8
Context — The LORD Is on My Side
6The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
7The LORD is on my side; He is my helper. Therefore I will look in triumph on those who hate me.
8It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
9It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. 10All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 40:4 | Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 17:5–7 | This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD. He will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. |
| 3 | Psalms 62:8–9 | Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah Lowborn men are but a vapor, the exalted but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor. |
| 4 | Micah 7:5–7 | Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household. But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. |
Psalms 118:8 Summary
This verse means that it's better to trust in God's power and love than to rely on people, because God is always with us and always helps us, as seen in Psalms 118:7. When we trust in God, we can feel safe and secure, even when things seem scary or uncertain, as encouraged in Psalms 23:4. It's like having a strong, loving parent who always protects and cares for us, as described in Matthew 6:25-34. By trusting in God, we can have peace and confidence, no matter what happens, as promised in Philippians 4:6-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to take refuge in the Lord?
Taking refuge in the Lord means to trust in Him for protection, safety, and security, as seen in Psalms 118:8, rather than relying on human strength or ingenuity, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Why is it better to trust in the Lord than in man?
It is better to trust in the Lord than in man because the Lord is all-powerful, all-knowing, and unchanging, whereas humans are limited, fallible, and often unreliable, as noted in Jeremiah 17:5-8 and Psalms 146:3-5.
How can we apply this verse to our everyday lives?
We can apply this verse by choosing to trust in the Lord's sovereignty and goodness, even in difficult circumstances, and by seeking His guidance and wisdom in all our decisions, as exhorted in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Romans 8:28.
What is the relationship between trusting in the Lord and fearing man?
Trusting in the Lord and fearing man are mutually exclusive, as seen in Psalms 118:6, where the psalmist declares that the Lord is on his side and he will not be afraid of what man can do to him, illustrating the confidence that comes from trusting in the Lord.
Reflection Questions
- In what areas of my life am I currently trusting in man or my own abilities rather than the Lord?
- How can I cultivate a deeper trust in the Lord's goodness and sovereignty in my daily life?
- What are some ways I can take refuge in the Lord when faced with challenges or uncertainties?
- How does this verse relate to my relationships with others, and how can I apply its principles to build stronger, more God-centered relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 118:8
[It is] better to trust in the Lord,.... This, with what follows in Psalms 118:9, is the conclusion from the above premises and experience; it is good to trust in the Lord; such enjoy peace, are in
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 118:8
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. -At the beginning (Psalms 118:5) and at the close of this division (Psalms 118:13-14) the salvation already received is described.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 118:8
As mine adversaries do in their own numbers, and in their great confederates.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 118:8
Psalms 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] Quia mutatur aut fortuna, aut voluntas, aut vita, saith Genebrard, because either men may die, or their affections may die, or their wealth decay.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 118:8
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.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 118:8
5–9. Israel speaks as one man; acknowledging that it is Jehovah Who has delivered them. With Him as their ally they have nothing to fear.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 118:8
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 Psalms 40:4; Psalms 62:8-9.
Sermons on Psalms 118:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(God's Sanctuary) 03 Men of His Own Heart 2 by Bakht Singh | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking God's help constantly, even in the face of opposition and persecution. He uses the example of David, who learned to |
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Trust in God - True Wisdom by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of handling matters wisely in a land full of enemies. He warns that if one does not choose their way carefully, they will fac |
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Singles Serving the Lord Without Distraction - Part 1 by Bob Hoekstra | This sermon emphasizes the importance of serving the Lord without distraction, focusing on seeking an undivided heart and finding completeness in Christ. It delves into the signifi |
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This Is the Day by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the anticipation of the day when God would send his only begotten Son into the world to redeem mankind from sin. The sermon emphasizes the spi |
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Trusting God in Stead of Man by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher begins by praying for the words spoken to be transformed from water into wine, symbolizing a powerful and impactful message. The preacher then discusse |
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Studies in Psalm 16:-01 by James K. Boswell | In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing how people often use technology without fully understanding how it works. He then shares a story about a doctor who operated on a b |
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Hebrews 3 by Mark Turner | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Lord rather than relying on worldly things or human intellect. He highlights the examples of Moses, David, |