It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man (comp. Psalms 62:8 , Psalms 62:9 ). Israel, on its return from the Captivity, had begun by putting a good deal of trust in its human helpers, as Cyrus and the other friendly heathen mentioned in Ezra 1:4-6 ; Ezra 3:7 . But this help, after a little time, had failed them ( Ezra 4:1-24 ), and they had found themselves in great difficulties. read more
The really better may not be the apparently better. It may truly be said that the object of the discipline and experience of life is to deliver us from the fascination of what seems , and to get our conduct and relationships swayed and charactered and toned by what is . This, indeed, is presented in Eastern religions in extravagant forms. But we never need refuse to accept a truth, because somebody, somewhere, has exaggerated it into a mischievous untruth. Creatures conditioned by... read more
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes . The "princes" after Cyrus had proved "broken reeds," and, instead of favoring Israel, had favored Israel's enemies ( Ezra 4:6-24 ). At last Darius had done them justice, but it was felt that no sure dependence could be placed either on him or on his successors. Jehovah alone was Israel's safe ground of confidence, He "would not fail them, nor forsake them" ( Joshua 1:5 ). read more
All nations compassed me about . This is, of course, hyperbole. But it was a fact that all, or almost all, the nations among whom the Israelites dwelt were at all times hostile to them, and sought their destruction. But in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them ; or, "I will mow them down" (comp. Job 24:24 ). read more
Acting in the Divine Name. "In the Name of the Lord I will cut them off." The idea in the mind of the psalmist may be illustrated by the old custom of going into battle in the inspiration of some motto . Thus Gideon gave his heroes this battle cry, "The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!" Down to quite modern times it was the custom for generals to give their armies a motto, a word, or a name, under the inspiration of which they were to fight; and it does not take much observation of... read more
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. 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... read more
It is better ... than to put confidence in princes - Even in the most mighty of the human race; in those who of all people may be supposed to have the most ability to aid us; in those whose favor is often sought more than the favor of God. Princes are only men; often as faithless and deceitful as other men; often less reliable in their character than those in more humble life. and in the great matters where we most need aid - in sickness, in danger, in death, in the eternal world - as... read more
All nations compassed me about - They surrounded me; they hemmed me in on every side, so that I seemed to have no chance to escape. It would seem from this that the psalm was composed by someone who was at the head of the government, and whose government had been attacked by surrounding nations. This would accord well with many things that occurred in the life of David; but there were also other times in the Jewish history to which it would be applicable, and there is nothing that necessarily... read more
Psalms 118:8-9. It is better to trust in the Lord It is much safer, and more to a person’s 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... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 118:1-29
The first eighteen verses are the song of the procession as it winds its way slowly up the hill to the great gate of the temple, sung alternately, as it would seem, by the two halves of the procession. Psalms 118:19 is the utterance of the leader, in the name of the whole hand, on their arrival before the gates. Psalms 118:20 is the reply made to them by those inside. The procession, as it enters, sings Psalms 118:21-24 antiphonally as before, all joining in Psalms 118:25 . Those... read more