Psaume 33:17

17 Le cheval est impuissant pour assurer le salut, Et toute sa vigueur ne donne pas la délivrance.

Psaume 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.

---

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.

Psaume 33:17 In-Context

15 Lui qui forme leur coeur à tous, Qui est attentif à toutes leurs actions.

16 Ce n'est pas une grande armée qui sauve le roi, Ce n'est pas une grande force qui délivre le héros;

17 Le cheval est impuissant pour assurer le salut, Et toute sa vigueur ne donne pas la délivrance.

18 Voici, l'oeil de l'Eternel est sur ceux qui le craignent, Sur ceux qui espèrent en sa bonté,

19 Afin d'arracher leur âme à la mort Et de les faire vivre au milieu de la famine.