Benefits of Trusting God Always: Verses from the Psalms

I have shared how TRUST is my word of the year for 2022. Since this is the first year that I have joined in this focused word, I didn’t even consider finding a verse that would be my guide. So, in looking for a verse on trust that I felt would be a foundation for the year, I started in the Psalms.

The Psalms have 60 occurrences of the word trust and its derivatives, like trustworthy. Not all of the trust verses are related to trusting God, as some refer to what we or the author mustn’t trust in. I found that most of the verses fell under four categories: who we trust in, the benefits of trusting in God, when we should trust in God, and our actions when we trust. Let’s look at few from each category.

God, who We Trust in

The Psalms instruct us many times to trust in God, and they also tell us to trust in his love, his word, and his character. There are many verses that say that trust in his unfailing love. Other verses tells us his commands are trustworthy. Most tell us of his character and that we trust in that, such as his faithfulness and his strength or how he is a refuge to us.

Generally, the One we trust will never leave us, will never stop loving us, will not be shaken, imparts good judgement and teaches us, and is a refuge and fortress:

Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 21:7 For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.

Psalm 119:66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.

Psalm 91:2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Placing our trust in him, we cannot go wrong. The time spent trusting in horses and chariots is spent in vain (Ps. 20:7). I spent time in my younger years trying to trust in myself more than in him and they were difficult years, dark and lonely. Truly God is the only one that we can trust, and he encourages us to do so.

Benefits of Trusting God

One of the encouragements to trust in him are the good things that come for us who trust in him, the benefits. Off the top of my head, I would say that we have much to gain in trusting God: peace and joy, security and love. The Psalms have much to say on the topic, but I’ve narrowed it to just five verses. These talk of his love, his salvation, keeping us from shame, giving us help and strength, flourishing in his presence and love, and stopping fear.

Psalm 32:10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Psalm 22:5 To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Psalm 52:8 But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.

Psalm 112:7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Coming back to God, having placed my trust in him after having tried on my own, it wasn’t the benefits that drew me back. The benefits have made me stronger in my trust and my approach to life, through thick and thin. I have flourished in his presence and under his unfailing love. No matter what I’ve done or thought or doubted, he never withdraws, not himself nor his benefits.

When to Trust God

Like all of us, I have made my share of mistakes (ie: sins). Yet, God says he will never leave us, his character is such that we cannot drive him away. That is unconditional love. And in this love, we can ‘pour out our hearts to him’, no matter what is going on.

No matter when, we can always trust him. No matter the sins, the fear, the troubles, he is always here. Psalm 40 exhorts us to trust even when we are tempted to compare. I especially like Psalm 13:5, which in other translations says ‘rescue’ in place of salvation – when he brings victory, we trust in him.

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 40:4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

Psalm 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I’m not sure if the victory comes first then the trust or the trust and then the victory. It’s a bit of the chicken and egg, which comes first? He woos us, drawing us back to him through the tough times and yearns for us in the good times too. Our trust in him cannot wane in the victory because he is responsible for that rescue. The victory only increases my trust in him.

Actions Follow Trust

It isn’t clear if the victory is first or the trust, but the trust that we have in God drives us to then act. This is the last category that I found of the psalms and trust. Trust is a cycle of action increasing trust, driving action and back to increasing trust. The first action is knowing him to trust him, then once we trust we act. We follow his commands, we do good toward others and as is his will, we sacrifice and do because we trust in him.

Psalm 78:7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

Psalm 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.

Psalm 37: 3-6 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

‘Trust in the Lord and do good’, this is what draws me in this year. God has called me to this writing and speaking. Trusting him means that I do what he called me to do. He will never leave me, he will lead me through his word and commands, he will give me the strength and the help to bring to completion the work he has set out for me to do. What is that work? That work is the desires of my heart, the desires he put there: writing and speaking of Him, studying him, his character, and his word.

I never would have chosen writing and speaking for myself. I know these are desires he has put in my heart. At university, I even had a professor from my major ask me to stay after class and questioned how my writing was so out of sync with my answers in class, how was it so poor when I clearly knew the material. I have never considered myself a writer, a communicator and teacher, yes… but the desire to tell His story has come over time and convicts me more each day. Each day as I turn over my fears and trust in him, I am more eager to carry out this calling.

Psalm 37:3-6 is my passage on trust for the year. I will trust and do good, knowing that he too will act to carry it out for his purposes in victory. I feel called to trust and act, not just trust.

What is your purpose or the desire of your heart? Have you got a verse of the year? Please share with us below.