Psalms 33:17

17 A horse is a vain thing for safety, Neither does he deliver any by his great power.

Psalms 33:17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 33:17

A horse [is] a vain thing for safety
Though it is prepared for the day of battle, and is a very warlike creature, and of great service in war, yet safety only is of the Lord, ( Proverbs 21:31 ) ; this is put for all kinds of military preparations which men are apt to trust in, but should not, for they are "a lie" ^F9, as the horse is here said to be; that is, deceives and disappoints when trusted to; in like manner the olive is said "to lie", ( Habakkuk 3:17 ) ; when hope of fruit from it is disappointed; so "fundus mendax" in Horace ^F11;

neither shall he deliver [any] by his great strength;
in the time of battle; either by fighting for him, or fleeing with him.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (rqv) "mendacium", Pagninus, Montanus; "fallax", V. L.
F11 Epod. l. 1. Ode 16. ver. 45. Carmin. l. 3. Ode 1. v. 30. "Spem mentita seges", ib. Epist. l. 1. ep. 7. v. 87.

Psalms 33:17 In-Context

15 He who fashions all of their hearts. He considers all of their works.

16 There is no king saved by the multitude of a host. A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.

17 A horse is a vain thing for safety, Neither does he deliver any by his great power.

18 Behold, the eye of Yahweh is on those who fear him, On those who hope in his lovingkindness;

19 To deliver their soul from death, To keep them alive in famine.