Psalms 33:17
Psalms 33:17 in Multiple Translations
A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.
An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
A horse is a vain thing for safety; Neither doth he deliver any by his great power.
A horse is a false hope; his great power will not make any man free from danger.
Don't deceive yourself: a warhorse can't give you victory—even its incredible strength won't save you.
A horse is a vaine helpe, and shall not deliuer any by his great strength.
A false thing [is] the horse for safety, And by the abundance of his strength He doth not deliver.
A horse is a vain thing for safety, neither does he deliver any by his great power.
A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
But the countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil things: to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
It is foolish to trust that because horses are very strong that they will able to win a battle and save their riders.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 33:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 33:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שֶׁ֣קֶר
הַ֭/סּוּס
לִ/תְשׁוּעָ֑ה
וּ/בְ/רֹ֥ב
חֵ֝יל֗/וֹ
לֹ֣א
יְמַלֵּֽט
שֶׁ֣קֶר
sheqer
H8267
deception
N-ms
הַ֭/סּוּס
çûwç
H5483
swallow
Art | N-ms
לִ/תְשׁוּעָ֑ה
tᵉshûwʻâh
H8668
deliverance
Prep | N-fs
וּ/בְ/רֹ֥ב
rôb
H7230
abundance
Conj | Prep | N-cs
חֵ֝יל֗/וֹ
chayil
H2428
Helech
N-ms | Suff
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יְמַלֵּֽט
mâlaṭ
H4422
to escape
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 33:17
שֶׁ֣קֶר
sheqer
H8267
"deception"
N-ms
This word refers to deception or falsehood, often implying a sense of betrayal or disappointment. It's used in the Bible to describe lies, false testimony, or deceitful behavior, like in Psalm 116:11, where the psalmist says all men are liars.
Definition: 1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood 1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one) 1b) deceit, fraud, wrong 1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb) 1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony) 1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely 1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets) 1e) lie, falsehood (in general) 1e1) false tongue 1f) in vain
Usage: Occurs in 109 OT verses. KJV: without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully. See also: Exodus 5:9; Proverbs 25:18; Psalms 7:15.
הַ֭/סּוּס
çûwç
H5483
"swallow"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a horse, often referring to chariot horses. It also describes a swallow due to its swift flight, as seen in the book of Jeremiah. The word is used to describe strong and fast animals.
Definition: swallow, swift
Usage: Occurs in 130 OT verses. KJV: crane, horse (-back, -hoof). Compare H6571 (פָּרָשׁ). See also: Genesis 47:17; Psalms 76:7; Psalms 20:8.
לִ/תְשׁוּעָ֑ה
tᵉshûwʻâh
H8668
"deliverance"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word means salvation or deliverance, often describing God's rescue of his people. It appears in books like Psalms and Isaiah, where God promises to save and deliver his people.
Definition: : salvation 1) salvation, deliverance 1a) deliverance (usually by God through human agency) 1b) salvation (spiritual in sense) Also means: te.shu.ah (תְּשׁוּעָה ": victory" H8668H)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: deliverance, help, safety, salvation, victory. See also: Judges 15:18; Psalms 40:17; Psalms 33:17.
וּ/בְ/רֹ֥ב
rôb
H7230
"abundance"
Conj | Prep | N-cs
Describes abundance or greatness in the Bible, used to talk about God's power and creation in Psalms and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) multitude, abundance, greatness 1a) multitude 1a1) abundance, abundantly 1a2) numerous 1b) greatness
Usage: Occurs in 145 OT verses. KJV: abundance(-antly), all, [idiom] common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number), huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much, multitude, plenty(-ifully), [idiom] very (age). See also: Genesis 16:10; Job 32:7; Psalms 5:8.
חֵ֝יל֗/וֹ
chayil
H2428
"Helech"
N-ms | Suff
This word represents strength, might, or power, whether physical, financial, or military. In the Bible, it's used to describe the strength of God or the wealth of a nation, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:17-18.
Definition: § Helech = "your army" a place near Arvad and Gammad
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: able, activity, ([phrase]) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, ([phrase]) valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily). See also: Genesis 34:29; 2 Chronicles 13:3; Psalms 18:33.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יְמַלֵּֽט
mâlaṭ
H4422
"to escape"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to escape or be delivered, like slipping away to safety. It is used in the Bible to describe people being saved from danger, like in the book of Psalms. The KJV translates it as deliver or escape.
Definition: 1) to slip away, escape, deliver, save, be delivered 1a)(Niphal) 1a1) to slip away 1a2) to escape 1a3) to be delivered 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to lay, let slip out (of eggs) 1b2) to let escape 1b3) to deliver, save (life) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to give birth to 1c2) to deliver 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to slip forth, slip out, escape 1d2) to escape
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone, let go, preserve, save, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 19:17; Psalms 41:2; Psalms 22:6.
Study Notes — Psalms 33:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 33:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 33:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 33:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 33:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 33:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 33:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 33:17
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 33:17
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 33:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 33:17
- Sermons on Psalms 33:17
Context — Praise to the Creator
15He shapes the hearts of each; He considers all their works.
16No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength.
17A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.
18Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion 19to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 21:31 | A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD. |
| 2 | Psalms 20:7 | Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. |
| 3 | Psalms 147:10 | He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legpower of the man. |
| 4 | Job 39:19–25 | Do you give strength to the horse or adorn his neck with a mane? Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? He paws in the valley and rejoices in his strength; he charges into battle. He laughs at fear, frightened of nothing; he does not turn back from the sword. A quiver rattles at his side, along with a flashing spear and lance. Trembling with excitement, he devours the distance; he cannot stand still when the ram’s horn sounds. At the blast of the horn, he snorts with fervor. He catches the scent of battle from afar— the shouts of captains and the cry of war. |
| 5 | Isaiah 30:16 | “No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster. |
| 6 | Hosea 14:3 | Assyria will not save us, nor will we ride on horses. We will never again say, ‘Our gods!’ to the work of our own hands. For in You the fatherless find compassion.” |
| 7 | Ecclesiastes 9:11 | I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all. |
| 8 | Judges 4:15 | And in front of him the LORD routed with the sword Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot. |
| 9 | 2 Kings 7:6–7 | For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.” Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives. |
Psalms 33:17 Summary
This verse means that we can't rely on our own strength or power to save us from spiritual danger or eternal condemnation. Just like a horse, no matter how strong, can't save us, our own abilities and resources are not enough to save us. Instead, we need to trust in God's power and salvation, as seen in Psalms 33:18, which says that the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him. We can trust in God's loving devotion and salvation, just like it says in Psalms 37:39-40, which reminds us that the salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord, who is their refuge and strength in times of trouble.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that a horse is a vain hope for salvation?
This means that trusting in earthly strength or power, like a strong horse, is not enough to save us from spiritual danger or eternal condemnation, as seen in Psalms 33:17 and supported by Proverbs 21:31, which says that the horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance belongs to the Lord.
Is this verse saying that horses are bad or useless?
No, horses are not inherently bad, but the verse is using the horse as an example of something that people might trust in for salvation, instead of trusting in God, as seen in Psalms 20:7, where it says some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
How does this verse relate to our everyday lives?
This verse reminds us that our strength, abilities, and resources are not enough to save us from the challenges and dangers of life, and that we need to trust in God for true salvation and deliverance, as seen in Jeremiah 17:5-8, where it talks about the cursed man who trusts in mankind and the blessed man who trusts in the Lord.
What is the alternative to trusting in a horse or our own strength?
The alternative is to trust in God's loving devotion and salvation, as mentioned in the next verse, Psalms 33:18, which says that the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, and that He will deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine, and also in Psalms 37:39-40, which says that the salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord, who is their refuge and strength in times of trouble.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things in my life that I am trusting in for salvation or security, instead of trusting in God?
- How can I apply the truth of this verse to my everyday life, and trust in God's power and salvation instead of my own strength?
- What does it mean to fear God, as mentioned in the next verse, and how can I cultivate a healthy fear of God in my life?
- How can I remember to trust in God's loving devotion and salvation, especially in times of trouble or fear?
Gill's Exposition on 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;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 33:17
An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 33:17
An horse; though he be strong, , &c., and fit for battle, ; or for flight, if need requires. And so this is put for all warlike provisions; of which horses were and are a very considerable part. A vain thing, Heb. a lie, because it promiseth that help and safety which it cannot give.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 33:17
Psalms 33:17 An horse [is] a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver [any] by his great strength.Ver. 17. An horse is a vain thing] And yet a warlike creature, full of terror and so swift in service, that the Persians dedicated him to the sun (Pausan.). See Job 41:20 Proverbs 21:31,
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 33:17
(17) Safety.—Better, victory. (Comp. Habakkuk 3:8.) The allusion is to the war-horse.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 33:17
Verse 17. 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.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 33:17
17. A horse—to the Israelites cavalry seemed the most formidable part of an army—is but a vain thing—lit. a lie, a delusion—for safety—for victory (Psalms 21:1): neither can it give escape by the greatness of its power: it cannot even secure its rider’s escape in case of defeat. Cp. Proverbs 21:31.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 33:17
An horse - The reference here is undoubtedly to the war-horse. See the notes at Psalms 20:7. Is a vain thing - literally, is a “lie.” That is, he cannot be confided in. For safety - For securing safety in battle.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 33:17
17. A horse—The most formidable and fleet of all war animals west of the Indus.
Sermons on Psalms 33:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Surviving the Anointing - Part 2 by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of surviving the anointing by returning to God and embracing His presence. It highlights the dangers of rejecting wisdom, standing in the path |
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God Works for Those Who Wait for Him by John Piper | John Piper preaches on the importance of trusting in the Lord's work for those who wait for Him, emphasizing that God's labor surpasses human efforts in providing for our needs and |
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Let Us Behave Ourselves Valiantly for Our People, by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of behaving valiantly for our people and cities, drawing inspiration from Joab's commitment to God amidst battle. He critiques the societal rel |
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"We Are in Grave Danger, when..." by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon emphasizes the danger of placing our confidence in our own accomplishments rather than in Jesus. It warns against the folly of relying on personal achievements, highlig |
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The Word in a Recession by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of placing our confidence solely in God, rather than in worldly possessions or external factors. He warns against being foole |
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 31:1 - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the situation in which the people of Jerusalem find themselves. The Assyrian army, known for their cruelty, is conquering cities and mo |
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Five Elements of a Victorious Life by Jim Logan | In this video, the speaker shares his experiences with the Sue Indians and their spiritual beliefs. He recounts a story of a woman who was possessed by a spirit but was eventually |