“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation” (v3). In every generation, confronted with challenges and conflicts, people are tempted to put their trust in charismatic individuals or in human plans for re-making the world. But the psalmist said, “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob” (v5). Rather than our own limited (or even misguided) efforts, we have the privilege of leaning on the Creator, who “executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry … sets the prisoners free” (v7-8).

Human self-salvation fails, and powerful leaders disappoint us. But we can wholly trust in our Lord who loves us perfectly and “keeps faith forever” (v6).