“Put not your trust in princes”

Psalm 146

Tom Johnson, September 9, 2012

Psalm 146 is a song and it is a call to sing. By singing it and praying it this morning we have already answered its call. But, in the midst of this call to praise—this positive affirmation of what we ought to do, there is a call from misguided reverence for human authority: “Put not your trust in princes—in rulers, nor in any child of earth—any human being, for there is no help in them.”

It seems like you can’t pick up the paper, turn on the radio or television, or glance at someone’s bumper and not hear this call to trust in rulers. We are constantly bombarded with pictures, videos, speeches, stickers, yard signs, and talking points. “Trust in him.” “Vote for her.” “Choose a trustworthy leader.” The message is if you have one candidate, that person will lead to certain disaster; but if you have the other, that person will lead to prosperity.

Perhaps it is very different for us living in a democracy where we vote for our rulers. We choose our leaders. When our Psalm was written, rulers were born and appointed. Perhaps it is easier to not put your trust in someone who is a ruler by birthright. Maybe it is similar if the person in office is not the person you voted for and you find it easy to not put your trust in them. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think that our Scripture is calling us to despise those in authority or look at them with constant suspicion. Nor do I think that God wants us to withhold honor to our leaders. In fact, St. Paul tells us in Romans chapter 13 to submit ourselves to the governing authority, to honor those to whom honor is due, and that those who are in authority are put there by God himself and are his servants. That is quite a statement for Paul to make—especially in his day when so many of those in authority abused their power. Nevertheless, we are to view our leaders as an extension of God’s reign. You’ll remember that Jesus reminds Pontius Pilate that he would have no authority unless God granted him that authority. Jesus calls him to a higher purpose and perspective on his power. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he urges us to pray for all people especially for kings “and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim 2:2).

And so God calls us to live in this tension. On the one hand, we are to view those in authority as God’s choice and honor them even if we did not vote for them. On the other hand, we are not to put our trust in them as we would God to fulfill our hopes, dreams, and aspirations. They are only human. Our Psalm says, “When they breathe their last, they return to earth, and in that day their thoughts perish.” My wrestling coach said it this way about my fierce opponents, “Tom, they put their pants on one leg at a time just like you.”

We are just weeks away from Election Day. And I believe that Christians have a unique perspective and call as dual citizens—citizens of heaven and citizens of at least one earthly nation. We can disagree about who is more qualified for our local, state, and federal offices. But we can agree that whomever is elected or appointed is human. They need our prayers. It’s God’s will they have their position—even when it is difficult to understand.

Of course, there may be times when we must “obey God rather than humans” (Acts 5:29) as Peter and the disciples said to the ruling authority in Jerusalem. There may be times when those in power seem to be the answer to our longings. But two tensions still remain: they are human and they are called by God to serve.

In the movie, King’s Speech the king is sitting with his family watching a news reel when Adolph Hitler comes on the screen speaking in German. One of the king’s daughters asks, “What is he saying?” The king replies, “I don’t know, but he seems to be saying it rather well.” On this side of human history, it’s sad and heartbreaking to think that so many put their trust in leaders who caused so much death and devestation. What I believe God is calling us to in this Psalm is to view civil authority with a godly perspective.

“Put not your trust in rulers or any human—praise the Lord and him only!” One of the great slogans that came out of the Reformation is Soli Deo Gloria—to God alone be the glory. Put your trust in God. Pray to God to put someone in office who will serve for the greater good—and then vote. Honor those in authority but remember that they are human and need our prayers. “Happy and blessed are they who have the God of Jacob for their help, whose hope is in the Lord their God.” We are blessed beyond measure to know that behind all the politics, popularity polls, economic turmoil, and bloody conflict around the world that we can trust the Creator of heaven and earth.

He sent his Son Jesus to extend his reign to his people and his whole creation. We still have struggles and unanswered questions but we can be confident that we are in the strong grip of the King of kings and Lord of lords. He lay his life down under one of the most ruthless and corrupt ruling authorities in human history. And he rose again from the dead so that we are now royal children and citizens of a perfect country—where his reign will know no end. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, O my soul! We will praise the Lord as long as we live on earth and eternally live in his Kingdom that comes. “The Lord will reign forever, our God throughout all generations.” And we are his beloved objects of his gracious reign.