Today, we are diving into Psalms 114-118 in our daily devotional. This collection brings us to some remarkable highlights, including the Bible’s shortest psalm and the verse positioned right at its center. Imagine trying to condense the entire Bible’s message into a single verse—what would it be? And what if that verse marked the very middle of Scripture? In Psalm 118:8, we find these words: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man,” an incredible declaration at the heart of God’s Word. As we reflect on these psalms today, may we find encouragement to center our trust in the Lord alone. To learn how to deal with false accusations, read the daily devotional on Psalms 108-113.
Psalms 114-118 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Today is day twenty-four in our thirty-day journey through the Book of Psalms. We will look at five more psalms, 114-118. We will look at the shortest psalm and the middle verse of the Bible. If you could summarize the Bible in one verse, what would it be? Would you put it in the center of the Bible? Please read or listen to Psalms 114-118.
What Is the Meaning of Psalm 115?
In 1997 (NKJV), I read Psalms 112-115, then 116-118, on different days. I did not write anything about Psalm 114, but on Psalm 115, I wrote, “O Israel (me too), trust in the Lord. He is my help and my shield. May the Lord give you increase more and more. You and your children, ‘May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth!’” (v. 15).
What Does It Mean the Lord Delivers?
On Psalm 116, I wrote, “I love the Lord because He hears me. You have delivered my eyes from tears and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord.” I did not write anything about Psalm 117, but I wrote about 118, “‘The Lord is on my side. I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ (v. 6). ‘It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man’” (v. 8).
What Scripture Says about God Being My Shield?
Ten years later, in 2007 (NASB), I read Psalm 114-118 on the same day and wrote, “Praise the Lord! He delivered Israel out of Egypt,” and I quoted Psalm 115:1, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory”. I continued to write, “The Lord is our helper and our shield.” And I quoted Psalm 116:5, “our God is compassionate,” or in the English Standard Version, merciful. Next, I quoted 116:12, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?”
What Psalm Is the Lord Is for Me?
Regarding Psalm 117, I wrote, “Praise the Lord” (v. 1) and on 118, I quoted, “His lovingkindness is everlasting” (v. 3) and, “The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?” (v. 6). And, finally, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord, than to trust in man” (v. 8).
What Does It Really Mean to Trust in the Lord?
In 2015, my journal entries on these chapters were, “114: God is in heaven alive. Idols are on earth dead. Who do we choose to worship? Our creator or that which we create? Trust in the Lord and He will bless. And He has.”
What Does Psalm 116 Teach Us?
Moving on to Psalms 116-118, I wrote, “God has delivered me from death twice so far. Once, at fifteen, car accident; second, at fifty-five, prostate cancer. I thank the Lord for life.” I was referring to Psalm 116:9, “‘I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.’ Because he saved me at age fifteen, I have lived for Him ever since. No backsliding, consistent walk with God, thanks to understanding sovereignty; that He could take my life at any time.” I referred to Psalm 117, “Praise the Lord! How many times does ‘steadfast love’ appear in Psalms?”
I moved on to Psalm 118:6, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Then, “Don’t trust in man. Trust in the Lord. God or man? God. Trust in God even when He disciplines me. Rejoice, be glad each day. I am not good at that. Lord, help me be more joyful. Save us, give us success.” And lastly, Psalm 118:27, “The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us.”
What Verse Is in the Center of the Bible?
These were five great psalms we reviewed today. I share some observations with you. Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm. Psalm 119, which we will get to tomorrow, is the longest psalm. Psalm 118 is between the shortest and the longest psalms, and verse Psalm 118:8 is the middle of the Bible. If you go to the center of things, the middle of the Bible, it is Psalm 118:8, which says, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” What an amazing verse in the very middle of God’s Word, the middle of the Bible!
Prayer
Father, we heed Your call today. We want to do that. It is better for us to trust in You than to trust in those around us, or myself. It is much better for me to trust in You. These psalms give me courage and encouragement to do just that. To know that You are God, and I can faithfully trust in You.
Thank You that You are in heaven. We worship You, the creator, not the created, and You promise over and over to bless us. We give You thanks for You are good, for Your steadfast love endures forever. Hallelujah! Amen.
