Passage
It is better to trust in the Lord, then to haue confidence in princes.
Psalms 118:9 (GNV)
Nearby Context
Psalms 118:7 The Lord is with mee among them that helpe me: therefore shall I see my desire vpon mine enemies.
Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord, then to haue confidence in man.
Psalms 118:9 It is better to trust in the Lord, then to haue confidence in princes.
Psalms 118:10 All nations haue compassed me: but in the Name of the Lord shall I destroy them.
Psalms 118:11 They haue compassed mee, yea, they haue compassed mee: but in the Name of the Lord I shall destroy them.
Study Lenses
The verse centers on "better", "trust", "lord", "haue", "confidence", and "princes". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "better" and "trust", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.
The nearby context moves from verse 8's "It is better to trust in the..." into verse 10's "All nations haue compassed me but in...", so "better" and "trust" belong inside that flow. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.
A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "better" and "trust" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.