Psalm 33:17

17 A horse is a false hope; his great power will not make any man free from danger.

Psalm 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.

Psalm 33:17 In-Context

15 He makes all their hearts; their works are clear to him.

16 A king's salvation is not in the power of his army; a strong man does not get free by his great strength.

17 A horse is a false hope; his great power will not make any man free from danger.

18 See, the eye of the Lord is on those in whose hearts is the fear of him, on those whose hope is in his mercy;

19 To keep their souls from death; and to keep them living in time of need.