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

16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

16 The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.

16 The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.

16 No king succeeds with a big army alone, no warrior wins by brute strength.

16 There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.

16 No king achieves a victory with a large army. No warrior rescues himself by his own great strength.

16 A king is not saved by a large army; a warrior will not be delivered by great strength.

16 A king isn't saved just because his army is big. A soldier doesn't escape just because he is very strong.

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 Samuel 14:6; Psalms 44:6