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Psalm 118:8

It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in man.

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.
Notice

Refuge in YHWH offers firmer ground for confidence than human help, even when that help comes from people you have good reason to trust.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What are you hoping another person can secure for you that makes this comparison hard to accept?

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How does the word “refuge” shape what trusting YHWH could look like in your present concern?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

8 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Proverbs 29:25The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the LORD is kept safe.Both passages contrast dependence on people with trust in the LORD, describing that trust in terms of refuge or safety.
Psalm 40:4Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, and doesn’t respect the proud, nor such as turn away to lies.Both psalms commend making the LORD the object of trust rather than placing confidence in people.
Jeremiah 17:5–7The LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, relies on strength of flesh, and whose heart departs from the LORD.Both texts contrast trust in people with dependence on the LORD; Jeremiah warns of a heart that departs from him.
Psalm 62:8–9Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah.Both psalms name God as a refuge and direct trust toward him; Psalm 62 adds the practice of pouring out the heart.
Micah 7:5–7Both passages question confidence in people; Micah names close relationships, while the psalm names the LORD as the better refuge.
Genesis 30:31Laban said, “What shall I give you?” Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it.The link is limited: Jacob negotiates with Laban about work, while the psalm weighs confidence in people against refuge in God.
1 Samuel 23:12Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” The LORD said, “They will deliver you up.”The psalm favors refuge in the LORD over human confidence; David learns from the LORD that Keilah’s men will betray him.
1 Timothy 4:10For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who …Both passages place trust in God; the psalm speaks of refuge, while Timothy describes labor and reproach endured with that trust.
Where this verse fits

Fear for the future. broken friendship.

One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Ask God for refuge in one uncertain situation

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Encouragement

The surrounding lines include people who help. Receiving their help fits this psalm; YHWH remains the better refuge, even when someone you counted on has reached the limits of their strength.

Now put it in your words.

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Keep goingPsalm 118 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).