Psalm 33:16-19 KJV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 33:17

Verse 17 17.A horse is a deceitful thing for safety. In this verse, the Psalmist, by the figure synecdoche under the name of horse, is to be understood as meaning any kind of help. The sense is, that in general those who conceive that their life is well protected by earthly means, are commonly disappointed at the very crisis of danger, and are miserably beguiled to their utter undoing, so that God therein clearly shows them their folly. It is true, that kings are not armed with the sword in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 33:18

Verse 18 18.Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him. Having shown that what men account their best defences often profit them nothing, or rather are utterly worthless, when men depend upon them; the Psalmist now shows, on the other hand, that believers, although they are neither men of great power nor of great wealth, are nevertheless sufficiently protected by God’s favor alone, and shall be safe for ever. His meaning is not a little illustrated by this comparison, that kings and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 33:19

Verse 19 Again, when it is affirmed, that God, in times of famine and dearth, has remedies in readiness to preserve the lives of the godly, we are taught that the faithful only pay due honor to his providence when they allow not their hearts to despond in the extremest indigence; but, on the contrary, raise their hopes even from the grave. God often suffers his servants to be hungry for a time that he may afterwards satiate them, and he overspreads them with the darkness of death that he may... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:1-22

As a simple psalm of praise and thanksgiving, intended for the service of the temple, it is well worthy of admiration, being "singularly bright, and replete with beautiful imagery" ('Speaker's Commentary'). Metrically, it consists of six strophes, the first and last containing three verses each, and the intermediate ones each four verses. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:1-22

Joy in God. In this section of the Commentary we aim at discovering the unity of the psalm, and of dealing with it accordingly, reserving the treatment of specific verses as separate texts, for another department. This psalm has neither title nor author's name appended thereto. It is manifestly an outburst of glad and gladdening song from some Old Testament believer, and is a glorious anticipation of Philippians 4:4 . It is refreshing to the spirit to find that in the olden times there... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:1-22

This is a hymn of praise to God, as at once the Almighty Creator and Ruler of the world, and the Protector of his chosen people. Psalms 33:12 may he regarded as the pivot on which the whole psalm turns. What was true ideally, and in part of Israel, is true in fact and perfectly of God's people. "Blessed"— I. BECAUSE THE LORD IS THEIR GOD . The prophets delight to mark the contrast between the gods of the heathen and Jehovah ( Deuteronomy 32:31 ; Psalms 86:8 ; Isaiah... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:12-19

Further reasons for praising God are now assigned, the recitation of them being itself a sort of praise. 1 . God has Blessed especially one nation—the nation now called upon to praise him ( Psalms 33:12 ). 2 . His providence and care are extended over all mankind ( Psalms 33:13 , Psalms 33:14 ). 3 . His gracious influences are poured out on the hearts of all ( Psalms 33:15 ). 4 . He is the sole Protector and Deliverer of men from danger and death ( Psalms 33:16-19 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:12-22

What God's people possess in him. The call to praise God is supported by a setting forth of that which his people possess in him. The theme of this second part of the psalm is set forth in the twelfth verse, "Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah." I. BECAUSE GOD IS THE CREATOR HE HAS THE MOST PERFECT KNOWLEDGE . ( Psalms 33:13-15 .) He not only observes men's doings, but knows their hearts, as having created them. You cannot know a man perfectly from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:16

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host ; literally, the king is not saved by the greatness of his host. The article, however, is used generically, as it is with "horse" in the next verse, so that the translation of the Authorized Version gives the true sense. (For illustration of the sentiment, see 2 Chronicles 14:11 ; 1 Macc. 3:19.) A mighty man is not delivered by much strength . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:17

A horse is a vain thing for safety ; literally, the horse ; i.e. 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 ( 1 Kings 10:26 ).... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 33:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 33:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 33:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:1-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:12-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:12-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 33:17

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