Psalm 33:17 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 33:12-22

We are here taught to give to God the glory, I. Of his common providence towards all the children of men. Though he has endued man with understanding and freedom of will, yet he reserves to himself the government of him, and even of those very faculties by which he is qualified to govern himself. 1. The children of men are all under his eye, even their hearts are so; and all the motions and operations of their souls, which none know but they themselves, he knows better than they themselves,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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 שקר "mendacium", Pagninus, Montanus; "fallax", V. L. , as the horse is here said to be; that is, deceives and disappoints when trusted to; in like manner the olive is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 33:17

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. read more

John Calvin

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

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 33:17

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 33:12-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 33:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 33:17

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

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 33:17

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