Psalms 33:16

16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.

Psalms 33:16 in Other Translations

KJV
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
ESV
16 The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
NLT
16 The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.
MSG
16 No king succeeds with a big army alone, no warrior wins by brute strength.
CSB
16 A king is not saved by a large army; a warrior will not be delivered by great strength.

Psalms 33:16 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 33:16

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host
He may be at the head of a numerous army, and yet not get the victory over a lesser one, nor escape safe, but be taken by it: there have been such instances; and if he is saved, or gets the victory, it is not owing to the multitude with him, but to the Lord, that gives salvation to kings, ( Psalms 144:10 ) . Hence it appears that even such men need salvation themselves, and cannot save themselves, though they have ever so many at command, and therefore are not to be trusted in; salvation is only of the Lord;

a mighty man is not delivered by much strength;
as Goliath, with his great strength, could not deliver himself out of the hands of David, a stripling; wherefore the mighty man should not glory in his might.

Psalms 33:16 In-Context

14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—
15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

Cross References 1

  • 1. 1 Samuel 14:6; Psalms 44:6
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