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I. MANKIND ARE NATURALLY DISPOSED TO DO THIS. The young depend upon the old, and the old upon the young. The poor depend upon the rich, and the rich upon the poor. The servant depends upon his master, and the master upon the servant. The subject depends upon the ruler, and the ruler upon the subject. The child depends upon its parents, and the parent on the child. Is it strange, therefore, that such creatures as we are, in our present state, should depend too much upon each other? We early form this habit, which is constantly strengthening through all the changes and periods of life, and which God originally intended we should form and cultivate. But He never meant that our dependence upon each other should be a just ground of our renouncing our supreme dependence upon Himself.

II. GOD HAS FORBIDDEN THEM TO DO THIS.

1. He has required them to place their own supreme dependence upon Himself.

2. He has forbidden them to trust in themselves.

III. WHY HE HAS FORBIDDEN IT.

1. Because mankind are so very unfit objects upon which to place supreme dependence.

(1)  Mortal.

(2)  Frail;

(3)  Fickle.

(4)  Absolutely dependent on God.

2. To preserve them from the numerous dangers and disappointments to which such undue confidence exposes them.

3. Because it tends to alienate them from Himself, and fix them down in ease and security, upon a false and fallible foundation.

4. To prevent their ruining themselves for ever.

(N. Emmons, D. D.)

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

WEB: Don't put your trust in princes, each a son of man in whom there is no help.