אל תבטחו בנדיבים בבן אדם שאין לו תשועה (תהלים קמו, ג-ו)

We continue our series explaining the Pesukim (verses) of Tehillim. Today we will discuss a number of Pesukim in Perek (chapter) Kuf Men Vav, from Pasuk (verse) Gimel to Pasuk Vav. David HaMelech (David the King) says, “Al tivtechu vindivim, beven adam she'ein lo teshuah. Tetze rucho yashuv leadmato.” Which means, rely on nobles, on prestigious people, nor on a human being, for he holds no salvation. When his spirit departs, he returns to his earth. All his plans perish. “Ashrei she'El Yaakov be'ezro.” Praiseworthy is one whose help comes from the God of Yaakov. “Sibro al Adonai Elohav.” Whose hope is in Hashem, His God. “Oseh shamayim va'aretz.” He is the maker of heaven and earth. “Et hayam ve'et kol asher bam.” The sea and all that is in them. “Hashomer emet le'olam.” He safeguards truth forever.

David HaMelech, in these Pesukim of Tehillim, teaches us how a person should put his trust only in Hashem and not in man, not in a human being. Even if that human being is among the Nedivim, among the most noble and prestigious, among the wealthy people in the world, says David HaMelech, don't put your trust in the nobles and the wealthy, and don't rely on them—not on any human being—for a human being holds no salvation. David HaMelech here was telling us that a human being cannot even save himself. A man, a human being, cannot assure salvation for his own being. Certainly, he cannot secure a salvation for others. And therefore, says David HaMelech, a person must put his trust only in Hashem, because if a person does put his trust in human beings, one day, says David the King, that human being's spirit will leave him. His soul will depart. He will die. He will no longer be here in this world. And on that day, all your plans and all your dreams, and all the trust that you put in that human being who is going to help you—in the end, everything will perish. If he perishes, then all his plans perish with him. And a human being, says David HaMelech, cannot secure any salvation for man. Rather, praiseworthy is one who puts his trust in Hashem, hoping that Hashem will be the one to help him. He hopes that Hashem, his God, will be the one to bring him a salvation.

So David HaMelech here is telling us that, yes, there are times in life when a person needs to approach the noble, the respected, and the influential people for help. But, says David HaMelech, even when we do so, yes, it's okay to make a request. It's okay to approach others for help. But, says David HaMelech, you cannot put your trust in that man. We have to realize that, in the end, it is Borei Olam (creator of the world) that is running the show. It is Borei Olam that is orchestrating everything that happens in this world. And my salvation will ultimately come from HaKadosh Baruch Hu (the Holy One, blessed be He), and man is just a pawn in the hands of God.

And then David HaMelech continues and says, “You know why you should put your trust in Hashem and not in man? Because we cannot forget: He is the maker of heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in it.” So are we not going to put our trust in the creator of the world, who can do it all? He is the Almighty and all-powerful. Therefore, says David HaMelech, let us be intelligent, let us be smart, and put our trust and hope in the hands of the one who can surely secure our salvation. And then David HaMelech says one more thing. He says, “Let us not forget that Borei Olam is Hashomer emet le'olam.” He safeguards truth forever.

You see, there are many times when we approach these significant human beings, these noble and prestigious people, and we ask for help and make our requests of them. And they promise to help and they say, “I will take care of you. Just give me a call a week from now, or I will get back to you.” And David HaMelech says they don't get back to you. They say they will, but they don't execute. They don't fulfill their words with emet, with truth. Says David HaMelech, “Borei Olam is Hashomer emet le'olam.” When Borei Olam promises, when Borei Olam guarantees, He executes and fulfills le'olam, forever. The truth of Hashem is there forever, and therefore, says David HaMelech, Borei Olam has promised us all. Borei Olam will always take care of His children, and Borei Olam will keep His word. So therefore, says David HaMelech, it is only foolishness that brings a person to put his trust in man, for man cannot secure his own salvation. How can he secure the salvation of others? Praiseworthy is the one who puts his trust in Hashem. For Borei Olam is the Almighty, He is the All-Powerful, and Borei Olam safeguards his truth forever. The word of God will forever be held, and Borei Olam will keep his word in what he promises his children: that Borei Olam will always take care of his children, and Hashem is there to provide for the needs of men. All a person needs to do, says David HaMelech, is put his trust in Hashem, and Borei Olam will provide him with what he needs. Have a wonderful day.