In God We Trust

Psalms 33:16–22  All currency in the United States is stamped with the motto, “In God we trust.” Thus whenever they exchange money, American citizens have a small but ever-present reminder that the foundation of life is the Lord, not money.

Psalm 33 offered a similar reminder to the ancient Israelites. The foundation of their society was the Lord, not the size or strength of their defenses (Ps. 33:16–17). This was an important point to keep in mind in that day, because the ability of a nation to defend often determined its continued existence. In fact, the history of the land of Canaan is a history of invading armies from the north and south. Thus it would be natural to rely on the military for protection, rather than God.

The point of Psalm 33 is not to diminish the need for either a strong defense or a stable income, but to urge people to place their ultimate confidence in the Lord (33:18–22). Things like money and the military are merely means to an end. What ultimately matters is whether we fear the Lord and trust in Him to meet our needs.

Verses that Confirm Our Trust in God

Psalms 91:1-2

¹He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  ²I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Psalms 18:1-2

¹ I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. ²The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalms 56:3-4

³ When I am afraid,

I will trust in you.

⁴ In God, whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

What can mortal man do to me?

Psalms 56:9-11

⁹ Then my enemies will turn back

when I call for help.

By this I will know that God is for me.

¹⁰ In God, whose word I praise,

in the LORD, whose word I praise—

¹¹ in God I trust; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

Psalms 52:8-9

  ⁸But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. ⁹I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.

John 14:1-3

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.