The verse emphasizes that princes aren't trustworthy not necessarily because they are evil, but because they are "sons of man"—fragile, mortal beings whose power and plans vanish with their last breath. This highlights the fleeting nature of human authority and the futility of placing ultimate hope in it.
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, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm opens with a strong call to praise God, but immediately pivots to a crucial warning: don't place your ultimate trust in human leaders, no matter how powerful. The context highlights that these princes and "sons of man" are ultimately mortal and incapable of providing lasting salvation or help, unlike the eternal God. This caution sets the stage for the psalm's central theme of finding true blessedness and security in God alone.
Ever felt let down by someone in power? This ancient psalm understood that feeling deeply.
The psalm warns against placing ultimate trust in 'princes' or 'sons of man.' This isn't just about kings and rulers, but about any human authority or power.
Why the Warning?
The 'son of man' sounds like a powerful figure, yet here it's a symbol of human weakness.
The psalm uses the phrase 'son of man' which, in its original context, directly points to humanity's created nature – born from the earth and destined to return to it (Genesis 3:19).
A Critical Distinction:
Ask a follow-up
If not people, then who can we really count on? This psalm doesn't leave us hanging.
After warning against misplaced trust, the psalm immediately pivots to the only reliable source of help: God. The verses that follow Psalm 146:3 (though not included here) are a powerful testament to God's character and actions.
Why God is Different:
This psalm's warning isn't meant to lead to despair, but to redirect our deepest trust to the One who will never fail.
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.
asah · Hebrew Verb
The act of bringing into existence the physical universe and all its contents by God's creative power. It signifies God's sovereignty, authority, and ownership over all creation.
emeth · Hebrew Noun
The reliability, steadfastness, and covenantal loyalty of God toward His people. It expresses that God never breaks His promises and remains faithful to His character and word throughout time.
This psalm's warning against trusting princes likely resonated deeply during periods of exile and return, when the people faced the devastating consequences of failed human leadership and the temptation to place hope in shifting political powers rather than in God alone.
8th century BC
Assyrian and Egyptian Alliances
During the divided monarchy, Judah and Israel often formed alliances with foreign powers like Assyria and Egypt for protection, a practice repeatedly condemned by prophets as a betrayal of trust in God.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah, and Jerusalem was besieged. Trust in Egypt to aid them proved futile.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, leading to the first deportation of Jewish exiles, including nobles and skilled workers.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event starkly demonstrated the failure of human leadership and alliances.
c. 538 BC
Cyrus' Edict
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon and issued an edict allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
Post-Exilic Period
Reliance on Persian Governors
After the exile, the returned community often relied on the goodwill and support of Persian provincial governors, sometimes leading to disappointment when policies shifted or support waned.
c. 5th century BC— this verse
Return and Rebuilding Challenges
The period following the return from exile was marked by the challenges of rebuilding Jerusalem and its institutions, often facing internal divisions and external opposition. Hopes placed on human leaders during this time could easily be dashed.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of Psalm 146:3 by stating, 'Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, but his heart turns away from the Lord.' It powerfully contrasts trusting in human power with trusting in God.
Psalm 118:8This verse is a clear precursor to Psalm 146:3, as it states, 'It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.' Both passages warn against placing ultimate confidence in human beings.
Isaiah 2:22This verse provides a vivid image of the futility of trusting in humans by commanding, 'Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?' It emphasizes the transient nature of human life, similar to the reasoning in Psalm 146:3.
Proverbs 3:5This proverb offers the positive counterpoint to the warning in Psalm 146:3, saying, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.' It highlights that true security is found in God, not in princes or sons of man.
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 emphasizes that princes aren't trustworthy not necessarily because they are evil, but because they are "sons of man"—fragile, mortal beings whose power and plans vanish with their last breath. This highlights the fleeting nature of human authority and the futility of placing ultimate hope in it.
This psalm opens with a strong call to praise God, but immediately pivots to a crucial warning: don't place your ultimate trust in human leaders, no matter how powerful. The context highlights that these princes and "sons of man" are ultimately mortal and incapable of providing lasting salvation or help, unlike the eternal God. This caution sets the stage for the psalm's central theme of finding true blessedness and security in God alone.
This psalm opens with a strong call to praise God, but immediately pivots to a crucial warning: don't place your ultimate trust in human leaders, no matter how powerful. The context highlights that these princes and "sons of man" are ultimately mortal and incapable of providing lasting salvation or help, unlike the eternal God. This caution sets the stage for the psalm's central theme of finding true blessedness and security in God alone.
"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 emphasizes that princes aren't trustworthy not necessarily because they are evil, but because they are "sons of man"—fragile, mortal beings whose power and plans vanish with their last brea…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
