Trust in Princes Perilous
H. Livesey. Psalm 118:8-13 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.… Voltaire for a time was the friend and familiar of Frederick the Great. He was honoured with a seat at the King's table, and appeared almost essential to the King's happiness. But the attachment was soon over. Royal smiles turned to frowns, and Voltaire was put under arrest at Frankfort, and there the comedy ended. Many efforts have been made to exempt Frederick from all blame in this matter and throw it upon his servants, but there the ugly fact remains, and the man who was receiving the royal flatteries was shortly afterwards detained as a prisoner. The late Prince Bismarck of Germany experienced a reverse about as great when his royal master, the young Kaiser William II, dismissed him from his office. Shortly after that event, he had an interview with the Tsar, Alexander III., and with great freedom and certainty propounded his political convictions and intentions, as if futurity belonged to him. When the Tsar suddenly interrupted him and said, "Yes, I agree with you, and I place the utmost confidence in you, but areyou quite sure that you will remain in office?" Prince Bismarck replied, "Certainly, Majesty; I am absolutely sure that while I live I shall remain Minister." However, only five months after, he was unceremoniously dismissed from office. (H. Livesey.) Parallel Verses KJV: It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. WEB: It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in man.