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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 33:17 A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/33-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/19_Psa_033_017.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 33:17 - Praise to the Creator" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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despite all its great strength it cannot save.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/33.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory— for all its strength, it cannot save you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/33.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/33.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/33.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />An horse <i>is</i> a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver <i>any</i> by his great strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/33.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A horse <i>is</i> a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver <i>any</i> by its great strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/33.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it rescue anyone by its great strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/33.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/33.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/33.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A horse is a false hope for salvation; Nor does it provide escape to anyone by its great strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/33.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/33.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The horse is a false hope for safety; it provides no escape by its great power.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/33.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The horse is a false hope for safety; it provides no escape by its great power. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/33.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A horse is a vain thing for safety; Neither doth he deliver any by his great power.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/33.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />In war the strength of a horse cannot be trusted to take you to safety. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/33.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great power.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/33.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Horses are not a guarantee for victory. Their great strength cannot help someone escape.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/33.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />War horses are useless for victory; their great strength cannot save. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/33.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />It is vain to trust in a horse for deliverance, even with its great strength, it cannot deliver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/33.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/33.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A horse disappoints those who trust in it for victory; despite its great strength, it cannot deliver. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/33.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A horse is a vain thing for safety, neither does he deliver any by his great power.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/33.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/33.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A horse is a vain thing for safety, neither does he deliver any by his great power. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/33.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A false thing [is] the horse for safety, "" And he does not deliver "" By the abundance of his strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/33.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A false thing is the horse for safety, And by the abundance of his strength He doth not deliver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/33.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The horse was false to salvation, and he shall not deliver by the multitude of his strength.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/33.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Vain is the horse for safety: neither shall he be saved by the abundance of his strength. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/33.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 32:17>The horse is false safety; for he will not be saved by the abundance of his powers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/33.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Useless is the horse for safety; despite its great strength, it cannot be saved. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/33.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/33.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A horse is a false thing for salvation; neither shall he deliver his rider by his great strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/33.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The salvation of a horse is false, for he does not deliver his rider by the greatness of his strength.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/33.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A horse is a vain thing for safety; Neither doth it afford escape by its great strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/33.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A horse is vain for safety; neither shall he be delivered by the greatness of his power.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/33-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=3586" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/33.htm">Praise to the Creator</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5483.htm" title="5483: has·sūs (Art:: N-ms) -- A swallow, swift (type of bird). Or cuc; from an unused root meaning to skip; a horse; also a swallow.">A horse</a> <a href="/hebrew/8267.htm" title="8267: še·qer (N-ms) -- Deception, disappointment, falsehood. From shaqar; an untruth; by implication, a sham.">is a vain hope</a> <a href="/hebrew/8668.htm" title="8668: liṯ·šū·‘āh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- Deliverance, salvation. Or tshuah; from shava' in the sense of yasha'; rescue.">for salvation;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7230.htm" title="7230: ū·ḇə·rōḇ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Multitude, abundance, greatness. From rabab; abundance.">even its great</a> <a href="/hebrew/2428.htm" title="2428: ḥê·lōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.">strength</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/4422.htm" title="4422: yə·mal·lêṭ (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to be smooth, i.e. to escape; causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit sparks.">save.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/31-1.htm">Isaiah 31:1</a></span><br />Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3</a></span><br />But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-5.htm">Jeremiah 17:5</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/1-7.htm">Hosea 1:7</a></span><br />Yet I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will save them—not by bow or sword or war, not by horses and cavalry, but by the LORD their God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/20-7.htm">Psalm 20:7</a></span><br />Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/44-6.htm">Psalm 44:6</a></span><br />For I do not trust in my bow, nor does my sword save me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-31.htm">Proverbs 21:31</a></span><br />A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-47.htm">1 Samuel 17:47</a></span><br />And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-8.htm">2 Chronicles 32:8</a></span><br />With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-16.htm">Isaiah 30:16</a></span><br />“No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/36-9.htm">Isaiah 36:9</a></span><br />For how can you repel a single officer among the least of my master’s servants when you depend on Egypt for chariots and horsemen?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/4-6.htm">Zechariah 4:6</a></span><br />So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/18-21.htm">2 Kings 18:21</a></span><br />Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-23.htm">2 Kings 19:23</a></span><br />Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest outposts, the densest of its forests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27-29</a></span><br />But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.</p><p class="hdg">An horse</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/20-7.htm">Psalm 20:7</a></b></br> Some <i>trust</i> in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/4-15.htm">Judges 4:15</a></b></br> And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all <i>his</i> chariots, and all <i>his</i> host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off <i>his</i> chariot, and fled away on his feet.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/7-6.htm">2 Kings 7:6,7</a></b></br> For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, <i>even</i> the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us… </p><p class="hdg">his great</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/147-10.htm">Psalm 147:10</a></b></br> He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/39-19.htm">Job 39:19-25</a></b></br> Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/33-16.htm">Abundance</a> <a href="/numbers/6-21.htm">Afford</a> <a href="/psalms/31-23.htm">Danger</a> <a href="/psalms/31-15.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/psalms/32-7.htm">Deliverance</a> <a href="/job/23-2.htm">Despite</a> <a href="/job/41-19.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/psalms/31-18.htm">False.</a> <a href="/psalms/31-4.htm">Free</a> <a href="/psalms/33-16.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/31-24.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/psalms/32-9.htm">Horse</a> <a href="/psalms/33-16.htm">Power</a> <a href="/psalms/16-9.htm">Safety</a> <a href="/psalms/31-16.htm">Save</a> <a href="/psalms/33-16.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/psalms/31-6.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/psalms/20-9.htm">Victory</a> <a href="/psalms/27-3.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/36-8.htm">Abundance</a> <a href="/romans/15-4.htm">Afford</a> <a href="/psalms/35-6.htm">Danger</a> <a href="/psalms/33-19.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/psalms/35-3.htm">Deliverance</a> <a href="/psalms/49-12.htm">Despite</a> <a href="/psalms/55-8.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/psalms/37-31.htm">False.</a> <a href="/psalms/34-4.htm">Free</a> <a href="/psalms/34-2.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/33-18.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/psalms/76-6.htm">Horse</a> <a href="/psalms/37-17.htm">Power</a> <a href="/psalms/55-18.htm">Safety</a> <a href="/psalms/37-40.htm">Save</a> <a href="/psalms/37-39.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/psalms/44-3.htm">Victory</a> <a href="/psalms/35-1.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 33</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/33-1.htm">God is to be praised for his goodness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/33-6.htm">for his power</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/33-12.htm">and for his providence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/33-20.htm">Confidence is to be placed in God</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/33.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/33.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>A horse is a vain hope for salvation;</b><br>In ancient times, horses were often associated with military power and strength. The Israelites, however, were instructed not to rely on horses for their security (<a href="/deuteronomy/17-16.htm">Deuteronomy 17:16</a>), as their trust was to be in God alone. This phrase emphasizes the futility of relying on human or earthly means for deliverance. The horse, a symbol of might and speed, is inadequate for true salvation, which only God can provide. This reflects a broader biblical theme where reliance on God is contrasted with reliance on human strength (<a href="/psalms/20-7.htm">Psalm 20:7</a>).<p><b>even its great strength cannot save.</b><br>Despite the horse's renowned power and speed, it is ultimately powerless to deliver true salvation. This highlights the limitations of human and earthly resources. The strength of a horse, no matter how impressive, is insufficient for the kind of deliverance that God offers. This echoes the biblical narrative where God often uses the weak to shame the strong (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27</a>), and where true strength is found in reliance on Him (<a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</a>). The verse serves as a reminder that salvation is a divine act, beyond the capabilities of human strength or ingenuity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/psalmist.htm">Psalmist</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/33.htm">Psalm 33</a>, traditionally attributed to King David, who is expressing trust in God over worldly powers.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/horse.htm">Horse</a></b><br>In ancient times, horses were symbols of military power and strength, often used in battle and as a means of transportation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom the psalm is addressed, often tempted to rely on military might rather than God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate source of salvation and strength, contrasted with the unreliable power of horses.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_warfare.htm">Ancient Warfare</a></b><br>The context in which horses were considered valuable assets, highlighting the temptation to trust in human strength.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_human_strength.htm">The Futility of Human Strength</a></b><br>Trusting in human power, symbolized by the horse, is ultimately futile for salvation. True security comes from God alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god_as_the_source_of_salvation.htm">God as the Source of Salvation</a></b><br>Emphasize that salvation and deliverance are found in God, not in earthly means or military might.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_over_fear.htm">Faith Over Fear</a></b><br>Encourage believers to place their faith in God rather than fear the uncertainties of life, knowing that God is sovereign.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>In spiritual battles, reliance on God’s strength is crucial, as human efforts alone are insufficient.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prioritizing_god's_power.htm">Prioritizing God’s Power</a></b><br>Challenge believers to evaluate where they place their trust and to prioritize reliance on God’s power in their daily lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_33.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 33</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_makes_animals_clean_or_unclean.htm">Do you trust in chariots or the Lord?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_exalt_israel's_horn,_not_others.htm">Why is God said to exalt 'the horn of his people' only for Israel, excluding other nations? (Psalm 148:14)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_god_view_human_strength.htm">(Psalm 147:10-11) How does God's supposed indifference to physical strength align with other biblical passages that celebrate or rely upon human might in battles and conquests?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_distinguishes_faith_from_hope.htm">What distinguishes faith from hope?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/33.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(</span>17<span class= "ital">)</span> <span class= "bld">Safety.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">victory. </span>(Comp. <a href="/habakkuk/3-8.htm" title="Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was your anger against the rivers? was your wrath against the sea, that you did ride on your horses and your chariots of salvation?">Habakkuk 3:8</a>.) The allusion is to the war-horse.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/33.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A horse is a vain thing for safety</span>; literally, <span class="accented">the horse</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the species, horse, is not to be depended on for safety - it is "a vain thing," quite unable to secure victory, or even escape, to those who trust in it. The use of the horse in war seems certainly to be implied here as familiar to the writer, whence it is rightly concluded that he must have lived later than the time of David. Solomon was the first Israelite king who enrolled a chariot and a cavalry force (<a href="/1_kings/10-26.htm">1 Kings 10:26</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Neither shall he deliver any by his great strength</span>. (On the "great strength" of the horse, see <a href="/job/39-19.htm">Job 39:19</a>; <a href="/psalms/147-10.htm">Psalm 147:10</a>.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/33-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">A horse</span><br /><span class="heb">הַ֭סּוּס</span> <span class="translit">(has·sūs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5483.htm">Strong's 5483: </a> </span><span class="str2">A swallow, swift (type of bird)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is a vain hope</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁ֣קֶר</span> <span class="translit">(še·qer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8267.htm">Strong's 8267: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deception, disappointment, falsehood</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for salvation;</span><br /><span class="heb">לִתְשׁוּעָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(liṯ·šū·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8668.htm">Strong's 8668: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deliverance, salvation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">even its great</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְרֹ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·rōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7230.htm">Strong's 7230: </a> </span><span class="str2">Multitude, abundance, greatness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">strength</span><br /><span class="heb">חֵ֝יל֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥê·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2428.htm">Strong's 2428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cannot</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">save.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְמַלֵּֽט׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·mal·lêṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4422.htm">Strong's 4422: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparks</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/33-17.htm">Psalm 33:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/33-17.htm">Psalm 33:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/33-17.htm">Psalm 33:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/33-17.htm">Psalm 33:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/33-17.htm">Psalm 33:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/33-17.htm">Psalm 33:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/33-17.htm">Psalm 33:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/33-17.htm">Psalm 33:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/33-17.htm">Psalm 33:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/33-17.htm">Psalm 33:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/33-17.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 33:17 A horse is a vain thing (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/33-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 33:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 33:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/33-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 33:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 33:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>