Where Should Our Trust Truly Reside?
In this article, you will learn how Psalms 39:7 contradicts Psalms 146:3, Jeremiah 17:5, 2 Corinthians 1:9, Proverbs 3:5 and Isaiah 2:22. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
In the journey of faith, understanding where to place our trust can sometimes seem contradictory. King David, in Psalms 39:7, beautifully illustrates a profound trust in God, likening it to a child waiting for their parent's guidance. David expresses his unwavering hope and reliance on God, seeing Him as the ultimate source of help and fulfillment.
However, when we explore other scriptures, we encounter advice that might appear contradictory at first glance. Psalms 146:3 advises against putting trust in princes or human leaders. Similarly, Jeremiah 17:5 warns about the futility of placing our security in human strength rather than in God. Both verses highlight the limitations of human assistance compared to divine support, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God alone.
Interestingly, 2 Corinthians 1:9 aligns with the core message of Psalms 39:7. It speaks of a profound reliance on God rather than ourselves, reinforcing the need to place our hope and trust in divine power. Likewise, Proverbs 3:5 encourages wholeheartedly trusting in the Lord, harmonizing with David's sentiment.
Isaiah 2:22 again underscores the fallibility of human dependability and echoes the call to focus our trust on something greater than ourselves—in this case, God.
Seeing these contrasts, we can use the analogy of choosing a guide on a difficult mountain path. Trusting only one's fellow hikers (humans) can be helpful, but ultimately, trusting and following an experienced and knowledgeable guide (God) is crucial for safely reaching the summit. The Bible's overarching narrative guides us to place our ultimate trust above human capabilities, in the divine, to truly navigate the complexities of life effectively.
These verses collectively invite reflection: Are we placing our trust in temporary human support, or are we aligning our hope with the enduring strength of a higher power?
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Psalms 39:7 | And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope [is] in thee. |
| 2. | Psalms 146:3 | Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help. [help: or, salvation] |
| 3. | Jeremiah 17:5 | Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. |
| 4. | 2 Corinthians 1:9 | But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: [sentence: or, answer] |
| 5. | Proverbs 3:5 | Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. |
| 6. | Isaiah 2:22 | Cease ye from man, whose breath [is] in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? |