Psaume 33:16

16 Le roi n'est pas sauvé par sa grande puissance, et l'homme vaillant n'est pas délivré par sa grande force.

Psaume 33:16 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 33:16

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host
He may be at the head of a numerous army, and yet not get the victory over a lesser one, nor escape safe, but be taken by it: there have been such instances; and if he is saved, or gets the victory, it is not owing to the multitude with him, but to the Lord, that gives salvation to kings, ( Psalms 144:10 ) . Hence it appears that even such men need salvation themselves, and cannot save themselves, though they have ever so many at command, and therefore are not to be trusted in; salvation is only of the Lord;

a mighty man is not delivered by much strength;
as Goliath, with his great strength, could not deliver himself out of the hands of David, a stripling; wherefore the mighty man should not glory in his might.

Psaume 33:16 In-Context

14 Du lieu de sa demeure, il observe tous les habitants de la terre.
15 Il a formé leur cœur à tous, il prend garde à toutes leurs actions.
16 Le roi n'est pas sauvé par sa grande puissance, et l'homme vaillant n'est pas délivré par sa grande force.
17 Le cheval manque à sauver, et il ne délivre point par la grandeur de sa force.
18 Voici, l'œil de l'Éternel est sur ceux qui le craignent, sur ceux qui s'attendent à sa bonté,
The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.