Psalm 118:4–9

"Let all who fear the LORD repeat:
        'His faithful love endures forever.'

      In my distress I prayed to the LORD,
        and the LORD answered me and set me free.
      The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear.
        What can mere people do to me?
      Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me.
        I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
      It is better to take refuge in the LORD
        than to trust in people.
      It is better to take refuge in the LORD
        than to trust in princes."

 

 

If we truly believed that God is for us, that we can take refuge in his faithful love, would we ever feel afraid again? Here the psalmist reminds himself that because God is "for him," he has no need to fear. What can a mere human do to him, if God himself is on his side? God frees us from fear of human scorn and hatred when we take refuge in him rather than in human power. In what—or whom—are you trusting?