Psalms 33:17

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

American King James Version (AKJV)

An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

American Standard Version (ASV)

A horse is a vain thing for safety; Neither doth he deliver any by his great power.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

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

Webster's Revision

A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

World English Bible

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

English Revised Version (ERV)

An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great power.

Definitions for Psalms 33:17

Vain - Empty; foolish; useless.

Clarke's Psalms 33:17 Bible Commentary

A horse is a vain thing for safety - Even the horse, with all his fleetness, is no sure means of escape from danger: the lion or the tiger can overtake him or he may stumble, fall, and destroy his rider.

Barnes's Psalms 33:17 Bible Commentary

An horse - The reference here is undoubtedly to the war-horse. See the notes at Psalm 20:7.

Is a vain thing - literally, is a "lie." That is, he cannot be confided in.

For safety - For securing safety in battle. He is liable to be stricken down, or to become wild and furious so as to be beyond the control of his rider; and however strong or fleet he may be, or however well he may be "broken," yet none of these things make it certain that the rider will be safe. God is the only being in whom perfect confidence can be reposed.

Neither shall he deliver any by his great strength - Safety cannot be found in his mere "strength," however great that may be. These illustrations are all designed to lead the mind to the great idea that safety is to be found in God alone, Psalm 33:18-19.

Wesley's Psalms 33:17 Bible Commentary

33:17 An horse - Though he be strong and fit for battle, or for flight, if need requires. And so this is put for all warlike provisions. Vain things - Heb. a lie; because it promises that help and safety which it cannot give.

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