Psalms 118:9 (KJV)

Passage

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Nearby Context

Psalms 118:7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psalms 118:9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Psalms 118:10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

Psalms 118:11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "better", "trust", "lord", "than", "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 compassed me about 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.