We sometimes have difficulty in admitting to themselves that we don’t have the strength or wisdom to protect ourselves or to accomplish a task. We don’t like to admit weakness.  We may resist running to God for divine protection and strength. We need to pray for humility always.

Psalm 118:8

"It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man." (Psalm 118:8, ESV)

• Psalm 118 is the middle chapter of the entire Bible.
• Psalm 117, before Psalm 118, is the shortest chapter in the Bible.
• Psalm 119, after Psalm 118, is the longest chapter in the Bible.
• The Bible has 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 chapters after Psalm 118.
• If you add up all the chapters except Psalm 118, you get a total of 1188 chapters.
• 1188 or Psalm 118 verse 8 is the middle verse of the entire Bible.
• The Bible has 31,102 verses in total.
• The exact middle would be between the 15,551st and 15,552nd verses. Again, Psalm 118:8
• Should the central verse not have an important message?

Significance of Psalm 118:8 Being the Middle Verse

• It powerfully summarizes a core biblical truth: trusting in God is more secure than relying on human strength – including your own strength.
• Positioned at the center, it serves as a reminder of the centrality of God in the believer’s life.

The Hebrew construction uses a clear comparison: “better [is] refuge in the LORD than trust in man.”

The verse contrasts trusting in God (ḥasot b’YHWH) versus trusting in man (b’toaḥ b’adam). The word ḥasot (take refuge) implies seeking protection in times of distress, while bātaḥ (trust) suggests placing confidence in something. The verse teaches that it is better to rely on God’s protection than to put full confidence in human strength or wisdom.

• Trusting in God (ḥasot b’YHWH) is secure because God is faithful and unchanging. The verse emphasizes that true security comes from God alone. This reflects themes found in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” The use of YHWH (God’s personal covenant name) reminds Israel and us that their safety and future depend on God, not on alliances, kings, armies, presidents, country of citizenship, political party affiliation, wealth, our wisdom, etc.

• Trusting in man (self) (b’toaḥ b’adam) is risky because humans are limited, fallible, and unreliable. The contrast with adam (man) highlights human limitations. Unlike God, humans are weak, inconsistent, and prone to failure. Yet, men often struggle in this area of fully trusting God instead of ourselves.

Many New Testament passages reinforce the truth of Psalm 118:8—that placing confidence in God is wiser than depending on human strength, wisdom, or power. Jesus and the apostles repeatedly teach that true security and refuge come only from God.

1. Jesus teaches that trusting in God for provision is better than worrying about material needs.

Matthew 6:31-33

“Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

2. This parable illustrates that relying on Christ’s words provides a firm foundation, unlike trusting in human wisdom.

Matthew 7:24-25

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

3. Jesus encourages His disciples to place their trust in Him rather than being anxious about their circumstances.

John 14:1

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

4. This verse echoes Psalm 118:8 by declaring that God’s authority is greater than human authority.

Acts 5:29

“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’”

5. Paul explains that hardships teach believers to trust in God rather than in human strength.

2 Corinthians 1:9

“Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.”

6. This verse directly supports Psalm 118:8’s theme of finding security in God rather than fearing human threats.

Hebrews 13:6

“So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”

7. Encourages believers to trust in God’s care instead of carrying burdens alone.

1 Peter 5:7 (Phil 4:6 similar)

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Conclusion:

Psalm 118:8, when understood in Hebrew, teaches a profound truth: God is the only true and reliable refuge. Human strength and wisdom will fail, but God’s protection is eternal. This verse calls believers to place their ultimate trust in Him rather than in earthly sources of security, including themselves.