Psalms 146:3

Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help.

Put not your trust {H982} in princes {H5081}, nor in the son {H1121} of man {H120}, in whom there is no help {H8668}.

Don't put your trust in princes or in mortals, who cannot help.

Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save.

Put not your trust in princes, Nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 146:3

Psalm 146 is the first of five 'Hallelujah' psalms (Psalms 146-150), all beginning and ending with "Praise ye the LORD." This particular psalm serves as a powerful call to praise God, not only for His greatness but also for His enduring faithfulness and justice, especially towards the vulnerable. Verse 3 sets the stage by warning against placing ultimate reliance on human authority, contrasting the fleeting nature and unreliability of human power with the eternal, trustworthy, and active nature of God, who is then extolled in the verses that follow.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Limitations: The verse serves as a foundational warning against placing ultimate reliance on human authority, whether it be powerful rulers ("princes") or any individual ("son of man"). It highlights the inherent limitations of human power, wisdom, and lifespan. Unlike God, humans are mortal and their ability to provide lasting help or salvation is finite.
  • Misplaced Trust: The core message is a caution against misplaced trust. When individuals or nations put their ultimate hope and security in human leaders, political systems, or even their own strength, they are destined for disappointment because these sources are inherently fallible and temporary.
  • True Source of Help: In stark contrast, the psalm immediately encourages absolute trust in God, the only reliable source of help and salvation. This verse sets the stage for the subsequent verses that extol God's power, justice, and unwavering care for His creation, serving as a powerful invitation to find true help in Him alone.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Princes" (Hebrew: nedibim): This term refers to nobles, rulers, or influential people. It emphasizes that even those at the apex of human power and influence are subject to the same limitations as any other human being.
  • "Son of man" (Hebrew: ben 'adam): This phrase is a general term for humanity, emphasizing humanity's inherent weakness, mortality, and frailty, contrasting sharply with God's eternal and unchanging nature. It is not used here in a Messianic sense, but rather to denote any human being.
  • "Help" (Hebrew: teshu'ah or yeshu'ah): While often translated simply as "help," this word carries a richer meaning of "salvation," "deliverance," or "victory." It implies more than just assistance; it refers to ultimate rescue and lasting deliverance, which no human can ultimately provide.

Practical Application

This timeless admonition remains profoundly relevant today. In an age where people often look to political leaders, economic systems, or influential figures for ultimate solutions and security, Psalms 146:3 serves as a crucial reminder. It challenges us to critically evaluate where our ultimate hope and confidence lie. While human leaders and institutions have their place and can do good, they are not infallible and cannot provide lasting security or eternal salvation. This verse encourages believers to cultivate a mindset of absolute trust in God alone, recognizing that human efforts, however well-intentioned, are ultimately finite and cannot provide lasting security or salvation. This truth is further emphasized in the very next verse, which speaks to the transient nature of human life and power.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 118:8 (22 votes)

    [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

  • Psalms 118:9 (22 votes)

    [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

  • Isaiah 2:22 (17 votes)

    Cease ye from man, whose breath [is] in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?

  • Jeremiah 17:5 (17 votes)

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 17:6 (17 votes)

    For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, [in] a salt land and not inhabited.

  • Psalms 108:12 (13 votes)

    Give us help from trouble: for vain [is] the help of man.

  • Isaiah 31:3 (8 votes)

    Now the Egyptians [are] men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.