Psalms 146:3-5
Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse contrasts "princes" with the "son of man," but the crucial, often-missed point is that "son of man" itself refers to all humanity, including powerful rulers. This isn't just about avoiding reliance on corrupt officials, but recognizing that every human, no matter how high their station, is ultimately frail and incapable of providing true salvation.
This psalm opens with a call to praise God, but quickly pivots to a warning against misplaced trust. The psalmist urges listeners not to rely on powerful human leaders, "princes," or even ordinary people, highlighting their inherent limitations and mortality. This caution directly sets up the contrast in the following verses, which will celebrate the enduring faithfulness and power of God as the only true source of hope and salvation.
We often look to powerful people or systems for security and help. But this verse offers a stark warning about where we place our ultimate trust.
The psalm calls out 'princes' and 'sons of man' as unreliable sources of help. This isn't just about corrupt leaders, but about the inherent limitations of humanity.
Human Frailty
Princes, though they may wield great power, wealth, and influence, are still just 'sons of man.' Their authority is temporary, and their lives are fleeting. As the commentary notes, they are 'dust to-morrow.' Their plans, however grand, perish with them when their breath departs.
A False Hope
When we invest our deepest trust in human leaders or institutions, we're building our lives on shifting sand. Their ability to 'help' or provide 'salvation' is ultimately non-existent because they are mortal and subject to the same limitations as everyone else.
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The word 'salvation' here is powerful. It speaks to a deep need for rescue, deliverance, and ultimate security. But the verse declares man can't provide it.
The core issue with trusting in humans is their inability to offer true and lasting salvation. The Hebrew word for 'salvation' here implies help, deliverance, and rescue from peril.
Limited Power
Princes and other powerful individuals might offer temporary relief or protection, but they cannot provide the profound salvation that addresses our deepest needs or eternal destiny. They lack the power to overcome sin, death, or the ultimate crises of life.
Divine Monopoly on Salvation
True salvation comes only from God. He is eternal, unchanging, and possesses all power. Human efforts, however well-intentioned, are insufficient. The psalm's message is clear: look to the One who can truly save, not to those who are themselves in need of rescue.
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.
ruach · Hebrew Noun
The vital spirit or breath of life given by God. When it departs, biological life ceases, signaling the dependence of all living creatures on God's sustaining power.
esher · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
State of being empowered, favored, or made happy by God. It describes a condition of spiritual well-being and favor that originates from a right relationship with the Creator.
ezer · Hebrew Noun
Divine aid or assistance. It denotes the reliance of the believer upon God's intervention, power, and sufficiency in times of weakness or need.
seber · Hebrew Noun
A confident, expectant trust in God. It is not mere wishful thinking, but a firm reliance on God's character and His faithfulness to His promises.
This psalm was likely written during or after the Babylonian exile, a period where the people of Judah experienced the utter failure of human leaders and empires to provide lasting security. The return under Cyrus, while a blessing, could have led some to again place undue hope in earthly powers, prompting this strong reminder to trust only in God.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire's Power
The powerful Assyrian Empire exerted significant influence and control over the region, including Judah. Alliances with foreign powers like Assyria were common, but often came with heavy tribute and political maneuvering.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invaded Judah, besieging Jerusalem. While Jerusalem was not captured, the event highlighted the vulnerability of Judah and the precariousness of relying on human strength or alliances.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
The Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, began its conquest of the region, leading to the first deportation of Jewish exiles to Babylon. This event shattered many hopes of earthly security.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, marking a devastating loss for the people of Judah and a profound crisis of faith for many, as their perceived earthly protections were utterly removed.
c. 539 BC— this verse
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered the Babylonian Empire. While he later issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, this shift in power could have created renewed hope in human rulers.
Post-Exilic Period
Rebuilding Efforts and Challenges
Following the return from exile, the Jewish community faced numerous challenges in rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple. Reliance on Persian rulers and internal leadership was necessary but also a potential source of misplaced trust.
This passage directly echoes the warning of Psalm 146:3, stating 'Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, but his heart turns away from the LORD.' It powerfully reinforces the idea that relying on human power is a curse, contrasting it with reliance on God.
Isaiah 2:22This verse provides a specific example of the futility of trusting in man, telling readers to 'stop putting your trust in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils, for wherein is he to be accounted of?' It highlights the ephemeral nature of human life, mirroring the psalm's concern.
Psalm 118:8-9These verses are a clear precursor to Psalm 146:3, stating 'It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.' They establish the foundational theme of choosing divine trust over human reliance.
Romans 8:6This New Testament passage parallels the psalm's core message by contrasting two fundamental orientations of the mind: 'For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.' It shows the spiritual consequence of trusting in human, fleshly ways versus God's Spirit.
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 contrasts "princes" with the "son of man," but the crucial, often-missed point is that "son of man" itself refers to all humanity, including powerful rulers. This isn't just about avoiding reliance on corrupt officials, but recognizing that every human, no matter how high their station, is ultimately frail and incapable of providing true salvation.
This psalm opens with a call to praise God, but quickly pivots to a warning against misplaced trust. The psalmist urges listeners not to rely on powerful human leaders, "princes," or even ordinary people, highlighting their inherent limitations and mortality. This caution directly sets up the contrast in the following verses, which will celebrate the enduring faithfulness and power of God as the only true source of hope and salvation.
This psalm opens with a call to praise God, but quickly pivots to a warning against misplaced trust. The psalmist urges listeners not to rely on powerful human leaders, "princes," or even ordinary people, highlighting their inherent limitations and mortality. This caution directly sets up the contrast in the following verses, which will celebrate the enduring faithfulness and power of God as the only true source of hope and salvation.
"Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose…" — The verse contrasts "princes" with the "son of man," but the crucial, often-missed point is that "son of man" itself refers to all humanity, including powerful rulers. This isn't just about avoidin…
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