Proverbs 21:31

31 You can get the horses ready for battle, but it is the Lord who gives the victory.

Proverbs 21:31 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 21:31

The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle
The horse is a warlike creature, and was much used formerly, as now, in war; these are prepared against the day of battle, to mount the cavalry with; and men are apt to put too great confidence in them: this is mentioned instead of all other military preparations and instruments of war; but safety [is] of the Lord;
a horse is a vain thing for safety, ( Psalms 33:17 ) ; victory is only of the Lord; salvation depends upon him; it is he that covers men's heads in the day of battle, and gives them victory over their enemies: or "salvation [is] of the Lord" F15; this is true of spiritual and eternal salvation, as well as of temporal salvation; it is of the Lord, Father, Son and Spirit; and so is the safety of the saints; and their final perseverance to eternal glory, which is owing to the love of God, covenant interest, security in Christ, the grace of the Spirit, and the power of God; see ( Hosea 14:3 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F15 (hewvth hwhyl) "a Domino autem (datur) salus". Tigurine version; "Domino est salvatio", Cocceius; "Jehovae est salus", Schultens; so Junius & Tremellius, Mercerus, Gejerus.

Proverbs 21:31 In-Context

29 Wicked people are stubborn, but good people think carefully about what they do.
30 There is no wisdom, understanding, or advice that can succeed against the Lord.
31 You can get the horses ready for battle, but it is the Lord who gives the victory.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.