Psalms 146:3
Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse doesn't just warn against trusting princes; it specifically calls them "son of man," highlighting their inherent frailty and mortality. This emphasizes that their power is temporary and ultimately cannot offer lasting salvation, in stark contrast to God's eternal nature.
This psalm opens with a call to praise God, but immediately pivots to a warning: don't put your hope in powerful people like princes or even ordinary humans. The context emphasizes that these earthly leaders are temporary and ultimately powerless to provide lasting salvation, a stark contrast to the eternal faithfulness of God.
Ever feel like powerful people let you down? This ancient psalm gets straight to the heart of it. It warns us against putting our ultimate hope in those who lead us.
The Frailty of 'Princes'
The psalm identifies "princes" – kings, rulers, and powerful figures – as unreliable sources of salvation. This isn't just about corrupt leaders, but about the inherent limitations of any human authority.
Leaders Are Mortal
The Historical Context
This warning likely resonated deeply with the Israelites. They had a history of looking to foreign kings like Cyrus (mentioned by Clarke) or making alliances with powerful nations for security. Yet, these alliances often proved shaky or even detrimental, teaching them that human power is ultimately insufficient.
When Leaders Fail
Think about it: how many times have leaders, whether in government, business, or even the church, failed to deliver on their promises or crumbled under pressure? This psalm helps us understand why this happens – it’s not a bug, it’s a feature of human leadership.
The verse declares there is "no salvation" in the 'son of man.' What does that really mean, and why is it so crucial for our hope?
Beyond Temporary Help
Understand the original words
nadib · Hebrew Noun
A person of noble status, a leader, or a ruler. The term emphasizes the limitations and mortality of human authority compared to divine sovereignty.
ben adam · Hebrew Noun phrase
The standard Hebrew expression for a human being, emphasizing mortality, frailty, and earthliness, especially in contrast to the eternal and sovereign God.
teshuah · Hebrew Noun
Deliverance, victory, or rescue. In a biblical context, it refers primarily to God's act of saving His people from their enemies, sin, or death, acknowledging that true rescue cannot come from human effort.
This psalm was likely composed during the post-exilic period, a time of rebuilding and political uncertainty. The warning against trusting 'princes' (human leaders, possibly Persian officials or Jewish authorities) reflects the community's vulnerability and their need to rely solely on God amidst the challenges of restoring their homeland.
c. 538 BC
Cyrus's Edict Allowing Return
Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.
c. 536 BC
Return of Exiles
The first wave of Jewish exiles, led by Zerubbabel, returns to Jerusalem to begin rebuilding the Temple. This marks a hopeful but challenging new beginning.
c. 520-516 BC
Temple Rebuilding Completed
Despite opposition and delays, the Second Temple is eventually completed. This was a significant achievement but may have fallen short of earlier hopes.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return and Reforms
The scribe Ezra leads a second group of exiles back to Jerusalem and institutes religious reforms, emphasizing adherence to the Law.
This passage echoes the warning against trusting in human strength, stating that anyone who trusts in humans and makes flesh their arm will be cursed, directly paralleling the psalmist's caution.
Psalm 118:8This verse is explicitly referenced by the commentaries, highlighting the shared theme of the futility of seeking help from human leaders ('princes') compared to relying on God.
Isaiah 2:22This verse directly supports the psalmist's message by urging readers to 'cease relying on man, in whose nostrils is a mere breath,' emphasizing the ephemeral nature of human life and therefore human power.
Proverbs 3:5While the psalm warns against misplaced trust, this proverb offers the positive counterpoint: 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding,' pointing to the correct object of our ultimate confidence.
ellicottPsalms 146:3: "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help."
(3, 4) Princes— The thought of Psalm 118:8-9 is here elaborated, with distinct allusion to Genesis 2:7 ; Genesis 3:19 (Comp. 1 Maccabees 2:63 .) The verse, no doubt, was in Shakespeare’s mind when he made Wolsey say: “Oh, how wretched Is that poor man that hangs on princes’ favours!” as it was quoted by Strafford when the news reached him that Charles I. had given the royal assent to the bill of atta…
clarkePsalms 146:3: "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help."
Put not your trust in princes - This may refer, as has been stated above, to Cyrus, who had revoked his edict for the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Perhaps they had begun to suppose that they were about to owe their deliverance to the Persian king. God permitted this change in the disposition of the king, to teach them the vanity of confidence in men, and the necessity of trusting in himself.
The verse doesn't just warn against trusting princes; it specifically calls them "son of man," highlighting their inherent frailty and mortality. This emphasizes that their power is temporary and ultimately cannot offer lasting salvation, in stark contrast to God's eternal nature.
This psalm opens with a call to praise God, but immediately pivots to a warning: don't put your hope in powerful people like princes or even ordinary humans. The context emphasizes that these earthly leaders are temporary and ultimately powerless to provide lasting salvation, a stark contrast to the eternal faithfulness of God.
This psalm opens with a call to praise God, but immediately pivots to a warning: don't put your hope in powerful people like princes or even ordinary humans. The context emphasizes that these earthly leaders are temporary and ultimately powerless to provide lasting salvation, a stark contrast to the eternal faithfulness of God.
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The Hebrew word translated as "salvation" here (or "help" in some versions) carries a profound meaning. It's not just about getting out of a jam; it speaks of ultimate deliverance, rescue, and security.
Not Just Incompetence, But Inability
When the psalm says "in whom there is no salvation," it’s not simply saying human leaders are sometimes unhelpful. It’s declaring a fundamental inability to provide the deepest kind of rescue that humanity needs.
A Divine Revelation
This stark declaration isn't meant to breed despair, but to redirect our hope. It reveals the desperate need for a Savior who is more than human – someone divine, who can truly save.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Return and Wall Reconstruction
Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of the city walls, facing considerable opposition from surrounding peoples. This highlights the ongoing precariousness of their situation.
"Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation." — The verse doesn't just warn against trusting princes; it specifically calls them "son of man," highlighting their inherent frailty and mortality. This emphasizes that their power is temporary and ult…
