Psalms 146:3
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּבְטְח֥וּ
Put not your trust
H982
תִּבְטְח֥וּ
Put not your trust
Strong's:
H982
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
בִנְדִיבִ֑ים
in princes
H5081
בִנְדִיבִ֑ים
in princes
Strong's:
H5081
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, voluntary, i.e., generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)
בְּבֶן
nor in the son
H1121
בְּבֶן
nor in the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 8
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֓ם׀
of man
H120
אָדָ֓ם׀
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
5 of 8
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
שֶׁ֤אֵֽין
H369
Cross References
Isaiah 2:22Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?Psalms 108:12Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.Isaiah 37:6And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.Isaiah 31:3Now 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.Psalms 60:11Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.Psalms 62:9Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
Historical Context
Israel's history included disastrous alliances with powerful nations (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon) seeking security through political arrangements rather than trusting Yahweh. Prophets repeatedly condemned such misplaced trust (Isaiah 30:1-3, 31:1-3, Jeremiah 2:18, 37). This verse summarizes that prophetic warning.
Questions for Reflection
- What contemporary 'princes'—political leaders, wealth, technology, education—tempt believers to misplace ultimate trust?
- How can Christians honor and submit to human authorities while not trusting them for ultimate help?
- What warning signs indicate that trust has shifted from God to human resources or relationships?
Analysis & Commentary
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. The emphatic negative—al-tivtechu vindivim (אַל־תִּבְטְחוּ בִנְדִיבִים) "do not trust in princes"—warns against misplaced confidence. Nadiv (נָדִיב) "prince/noble" denotes those with power, wealth, or status. Ben-adam (בֶּן־אָדָם) "son of man" emphasizes human frailty and mortality, unable to provide ultimate security or salvation.
In whom there is no help (she'ein lo teshu'ah, שֶׁאֵין לוֹ תְשׁוּעָה)—teshuah (תְּשׁוּעָה) "salvation/deliverance" is what humans desperately need but no mortal can ultimately provide. This anticipates Jeremiah 17:5-8's contrast between cursed trust in flesh and blessed trust in Yahweh. Only God provides true, lasting help (Psalm 121:1-2).