The verse in question, Psalm 116:11, states “I said in my alarm, ‘All mankind are liars.'” This is a bold statement that requires careful examination in light of the overall message of Scripture.
First, it is important to note the context of this verse. Psalm 116 is a song of thanksgiving and praise to God for delivering the psalmist from what seemed like certain death (vv. 3-8). In his distress, the psalmist cried out to God in faith, even though he felt utterly helpless and forsaken (vv. 10-11). It was in this alarmed state that the psalmist made the sweeping statement that “all mankind are liars.”
Based on the context, it appears the psalmist was not making a statement about the general untrustworthiness of all people. Rather, he was contrasting the dependability of God with the instability and inconstancy of human beings. When facing death, the psalmist knew he could not ultimately rely on any person to save him. His hope was in God alone. In comparison to the faithfulness of God, even the best of men will fail us from time to time. As the prophet Isaiah stated, “Cease from man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?” (Isaiah 2:22).
Still, it would be a mistake to take the psalmist’s hyperbolic expression here as a categorical condemnation of all humanity. The Bible makes it clear that there are people of integrity who are worthy of trust (Psalm 15). Not all men are inveterate liars. However, the psalmist has recognized a general tendency of fallen human nature to be unreliable, especially in contrast to the supreme faithfulness of God. Even the best intentioned people sometimes fail to come through when we need them most. There is a limit to how much we should put our ultimate hope in other people, even loved ones. Our salvation and deliverance comes from the Lord.
This verse is a warning not to put absolute confidence in men as though they were God. We will often be disappointed if we expect people to perfectly keep their word or never let us down. People are limited and sinful. Fundamentally, mankind is unreliable when compared to the flawless faithfulness of God. Yet, this is not to say that all people are completely untrustworthy liars. We simply should not hope in them as if they were omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent like the Lord. Wise is the person who puts his ultimate hope in God while also nurturing healthy, realistic relationships with others.
1. The psalmist’s statement was an expression made in a distraught state, not a universal condemnation of humanity
Psalm 116 begins with the psalmist calling out to God in distress and anguish (vv. 1-4). He reviews how the Lord graciously preserved him from death (vv. 5-9). In his alarm, he made an exaggerated statement that “all mankind are liars” (v. 11). This sweeping accusation was born out of the agony of the moment rather than a logical theological assessment. Based on the context, the psalmist was not categorically stating that every single human being is a compulsive liar. He was contrasting the fickleness of mankind with the unfailing faithfulness of God.
Many statements in Scripture are hyperbolic generalizations meant to make a point rather than absolute facts to be taken literalistically. For example, when Jesus says we must hate our family and even our own lives to be his disciple (Luke 14:26), he is using dramatic language to teach that our devotion to him must far surpass even our closest human relationships. This does not mean he literally wants us to despise our family. Similarly, the psalmist’s distress led him to exaggerate that “all men are liars” in contrast to the steadfast loyalty of God. This does not mean every human being is a compulsive liar.
2. The psalmist was expressing dismay over the limitation and unreliability of human beings compared to God
The psalmist’s declaration in Psalm 116:11 was less an indictment on the character of humanity than it was a recognition of the limitation of mortals in contrast to the Almighty. Even the best and most sincere people sometimes fail to come through when we need them most. Friends can betray us. Spouses can abandon us. No one but the Lord is perfectly steadfast.
People inevitably disappoint us when we expect more from them than they can deliver. Human beings are neither omniscient nor omnipotent nor omnipresent. Even the most righteous person does not see all things, know all things, or have power over all things. People have limitations in their perspective and abilities. Moreover, since the Fall, sin has corrupted human nature so that we are prone to break our word, fail in loyalty, and disappoint others even when we intend to do well.
The psalmist was expressing his dismay over the instability and inconstancy of mortals in contrast to the supreme faithfulness of God. His intention was not to condemn humanity as utterly untrustworthy but to note our limitations in comparison to the infinite perfections of God. When facing death, the psalmist realized that no man, no matter how righteous, could guarantee his deliverance. His hope was in the Lord alone who is perfectly steadfast.
3. This verse warns against putting one’s ultimate hope in other people rather than God
Though we should not take Psalm 116:11 as a categorical condemnation of all humanity, the verse does warn us against putting our absolute trust in other people. While most people are not inveterate liars, there is a tendency in human nature toward imperfection, failure, and disappointment. Even the best intended people sometimes let us down or break their word.
Therefore, this verse advises us not to put our ultimate hope and confidence in other humans as though they were God. People are limited. People fail. People disappoint. While we should nurture healthy relationships and reasonable human trust, our fundamental faith should be in the Lord who alone is perfectly steadfast. Wise is the one who trusts in human beings while also recognizing their limitations and propensity to disappoint at times.
This verse serves as a reminder that only God is perfectly constant and keeps all his promises perfectly. While we should love others, our primary hope must be in the Lord. He will never fail us or forsake us, even when people do. Our salvation and deliverance are in him. By warning us against trusting in mankind, this verse directs our faith toward God who alone is worthy of absolute confidence.
4. We should not interpret this verse to mean humanity is utterly untrustworthy
While Psalm 116:11 gives us a needed warning about placing ultimate hope in other people, it would be a mistake to interpret this verse as meaning human beings are completely untrustworthy and unreliable. Such a dark view of mankind is not supported in Scripture.
The Bible makes clear there are many righteous people who are worthy of trust and confidence. For example, Psalm 15 delineates the character of those who are considered people of integrity. Proverbs describes the “excellent wife” as someone in whom her husband can fully trust (Prov. 31:10-11). Hebrews 11 recounts the faithful examples of the saints. Despite the Fall, humanity still bears the image of God and is capable of righteousness, compassion, and loyalty when redeemed by Christ.
We should not use Psalm 116:11 to justify an utter lack of trust in other people or society. There are many good people who genuinely care for others and are dependable. We are wise to discern trustworthy individuals without naively trusting everyone. Balance is needed. The psalmist’s hyperbolic statement should not be taken as a categorical rejection of all human trustworthiness.
5. This verse points us to hope in the flawless faithfulness of God
Psalm 116:11 contrasts the limitations and imperfections of mankind with the supreme faithfulness of God. While all humans are fallible, God is infallibly constant. He will never fail us or forsake us. He keeps every promise perfectly.
The major thrust of this verse is to direct our hope away from limited, sinful mankind toward the Lord who is eternally steadfast. The disappointments of human relationships point us to hope in the One who alone is worthy of absolute trust. His loyalty nunca falla a nosotros.
This truth led the psalmist to say, “O Lord, I am your servant…You have delivered my soul from death that I may walk before the Lord in the light of the living” (Psalm 116:16-17). Despite human disappointment, we can always hope in God’s perfect faithfulness.
6. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of perfect righteousness in man
While Psalm 116:11 recognizes the limitation and sinfulness of humanity, the coming of Jesus provides the perfect fulfillment of righteousness in human flesh. As the God-man, Jesus embodied perfect steadfastness, loyalty, and trustworthiness in a human life.
What mankind failed to be because of sin, Jesus fulfilled in his sinless obedience. He is the faithful and true man who never disappoints those who hope in him. While the psalmist lamented the unreliability of mankind, Jesus provides the answer through his perfect human righteousness.
Moreover, those united to Christ by faith partake of his steadfastness. His righteousness is credited to us. The Holy Spirit begins to produce the fruit of faithfulness in our character as we yield to him. So in Christ, by grace, even sinful humanity can reflect God’s perfect trustworthiness.
So Psalm 116:11 reminds us not to put ultimate hope in mankind. But Jesus gives us hope through his redemption. He is the faithful man of Psalm 15 we can wholly rely upon. United to him, we share in the blessing of his righteousness.
7. Christians are called to integrity and trustworthiness before God and men
While Psalm 116:11 recognizes the general untrustworthiness of humanity, Christians have been transformed by God’s grace to walk in newness of life. Followers of Christ are called to demonstrate integrity and faithfulness in their dealings with both God and man.
Scripture calls Christians to be people of their word: “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil” (Matt. 5:37). We are exhorted, “Do not lie to one another” (Col. 3:9). God’s people are to earn reputations for honesty, reliability, truthfulness, and trustworthiness. By the empowering of the Holy Spirit, we can walk in faithfulness to our word.
While Psalm 116:11 acknowledges that absolute faith can only be placed in God, Christians are still called to reflect God’s faithfulness in their human relationships. We can be honest friends, loyal spouses, dependable employees, truthful witnesses, and overall people of integrity by God’s grace. In this way, we give glory to the God of perfect steadfastness.
8. Placing hope in other people is unwise, but nurturing healthy relationships is still important
While Psalm 116:11 warns us not to place ultimate hope in other people, this does not mean human relationships are unimportant. Healthy biblical community provides needed encouragement and support as we walk with Christ. Isolation can lead to spiritual destruction.
While we should place absolute hope only in God, nurturing loving family relationships and godly friendships is still vitally important. We need faithful spouses, caring children, true friends, and spiritual mentors. But our dependence on them should always be secondary to our dependence on the Lord.
Living in loving community while still hoping fundamentally in God alone brings human relationships into their proper perspective. The disappointments that will inevitably occur remind us that our salvation is in Christ alone. Psalm 116:11 provides balance to our relationships.
9. This verse points to the glory of heaven where human limitations will be no more
In heaven, our hope will never be disappointed, for we will be perfected in Christ. Our limitations, flaws, and proneness to sin will be fully redeemed. What we experience now only partially, we will then know in full.
As the apostle John writes, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). We will be glorified with Christ, fully conformed to his perfect image.
In heaven, we will no longer lament with the psalmist over the limitations and disappointments of humanity. We will be perfectly righteous, loving, faithful, and true. Absolute trust will reign among God’s people. While now we must balance faith in God and man wisely, in eternity our hope will be fully realized in glorious communion with Christ.
10. This verse does not negate showing grace to others despite their flaws
While Psalm 116:11 recognizes mankind’s limitations, this truth should not make us merciless toward others. Followers of Jesus are called to show grace and extend forgiveness even when people fail us. We too are sinners saved only by God’s mercy.
The psalmist’s hyperbolic statement should not be used to justify harbouring bitterness when others disappoint us. We will let people down even when we intend to do well, just as others will unintentionally fail us. As recipients of God’s unlimited grace, we must extend grace to others.
Psalm 116:11 should lead us to hope in God alone, recognizing he alone is perfect. This truth should make us more understanding when flawed people fail us. We can graciously forgive others while still trusting in God as the only one worthy of absolute hope. Our human frailty should make us gracious, not judgmental.
By extending mercy to others, we reflect God’s heart toward us in Christ. The God in whom we hope freely forgives our shortcomings. We can grow in graciousness while still recognizing the fundamental inadequacy of mankind apart from Christ.