For the sentiment expressed in verse 3 see 118.8-9. The psalmist warns against depending for help on anyone, including princes, that is, people with power and authority (see comments, 118.9b). It is better to translate princes as “human leaders,” as does Good News Translation, or to use its equivalent. Princes, which are sometimes translated “sons of chiefs,” may fail to suggest persons in authority. In this case it will be better to follow Good News Translation. In verse 3b a son of man means person, human being, anyone (see the plural form in 11.4).

In verse 4 the psalmist stresses the mortality of human beings. For the thought of verse 4a, see 104.29. Breath translates the Hebrew word ruach, “spirit, wind, breath,” the presence of which means life, and its absence, death. The phrase to his earth is better translated “to the dust” (New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, Good News Translation) or “to the earth” (New Jerusalem Bible). In death the body returns to the earth, the soil, from which it was made (see Gen 3.19; Eccl 12.7). Good News Translation “return to the dust” is expressed in some languages as “join with the ground” or “return to the soil.” The Hebrew word translated plans occurs only here in the Old Testament. It may be translated “purposes”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy and Bible en français courant translate “projects.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .