Psalms 146:3
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
Psalms 146:3
This verse advises caution against misplaced trust: “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.” In ancient Near Eastern politics, rulers were often seen as the ultimate guarantors of security. The psalmist, however, challenges reliance on human power, highlighting fragility: even the best leaders are mortal and fallible. The phrase “the son of man” underscores human ancestry and frailty. Placing ultimate trust in human leadership invites disappointment, as power can corrupt, perish, or fail. The verse serves as a corrective to pride and to idolatry of political systems. It grounds trust in the transcendent God who stands outside human limitation. The immediate audience would have felt the tension of compromised kingdoms and exile, which amplifies the call to trust beyond kings to the Lord who alone commands ultimate allegiance.
The verse articulates a theology of rightly ordered worship: God alone is the source of true help. It contrasts the transience of human institutions with the permanence and sufficiency of divine sovereignty. This theme threads through Scripture, shaping biblical ethics around humility, reliance on God in prayer, and discernment about political power. It’s a corrective against cynicism about God’s involvement in world affairs while also preventing naïve trust in human prowess. It invites believers to evaluate where they place ultimate confidence and to redirect dependence toward the Lord.
Practical steps: assess where you invest hope—savings, status, relationships, political influence—and compare it to your dependence on God. When leaders fail, it’s natural to feel disillusioned; this verse invites a mature posture: keep praying, keep seeking God, and avoid treating human power as your ultimate safety net. In decision-making, rely first on prayerful discernment and wise counsel from God-centered sources rather than political clout or prestige. Encourage others to put their trust in God rather than in “princes” by modeling steady faith and sharing stories of God’s faithfulness in everyday life. This stance doesn’t neglect civic responsibility; it reframes it within the larger trust in God’s ultimate governance.
Cross-References: Psalm 118:9; Isaiah 31:1; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:17