17 An horse H5483 is a vain thing H8267 for safety: H8668 neither shall he deliver H4422 any by his great H7230 strength. H2428
For the Lord H136 had made the host H4264 of the Syrians H758 to hear H8085 a noise H6963 of chariots, H7393 and a noise H6963 of horses, H5483 even the noise H6963 of a great H1419 host: H2428 and they said H559 one H376 to another, H251 Lo, the king H4428 of Israel H3478 hath hired H7936 against us the kings H4428 of the Hittites, H2850 and the kings H4428 of the Egyptians, H4714 to come H935 upon us. Wherefore they arose H6965 and fled H5127 in the twilight, H5399 and left H5800 their tents, H168 and their horses, H5483 and their asses, H2543 even the camp H4264 as it was, and fled H5127 for their life. H5315
Hast thou given H5414 the horse H5483 strength? H1369 hast thou clothed H3847 his neck H6677 with thunder? H7483 Canst thou make him afraid H7493 as a grasshopper? H697 the glory H1935 of his nostrils H5170 is terrible. H367 He paweth H2658 in the valley, H6010 and rejoiceth H7797 in his strength: H3581 he goeth on H3318 to meet H7125 the armed men. H5402 He mocketh H7832 at fear, H6343 and is not affrighted; H2865 neither turneth he back H7725 from H6440 the sword. H2719 The quiver H827 rattleth H7439 against him, the glittering H3851 spear H2595 and the shield. H3591 He swalloweth H1572 the ground H776 with fierceness H7494 and rage: H7267 neither believeth H539 he that it is the sound H6963 of the trumpet. H7782 He saith H559 among H1767 the trumpets, H7782 Ha, H1889 ha; H1889 and he smelleth H7306 the battle H4421 afar off, H7350 the thunder H7482 of the captains, H8269 and the shouting. H8643
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 33
Commentary on Psalms 33 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 33
Ps 33:1-22. A call to lively and joyous praise to God for His glorious attributes and works, as displayed in creation, and His general and special providence, in view of which, the Psalmist, for all the pious, professes trust and joy and invokes God's mercy.
1-3. The sentiment falls in with Ps 32:11 (compare 1Co 14:15). The instruments (Ps 92:3; 144:9) do not exclude the voice.
3. a new song—fresh, adapted to the occasion (Ps 40:3; 96:1).
play skilfully—(Compare 1Sa 16:17).
4-9. Reasons for praise: first, God's truth, faithfulness, and mercy, generally; then, His creative power which all must honor.
6. In "word" and "breath"—or, "spirit," there may be an allusion to the Son (Joh 1:1) and Holy Spirit.
9. he spake—literally, "said."
it was—The addition of "done" weakens the sense (compare Ge 1:3-10).
10, 11. In God's providence He thwarts men's purposes and executes His own.
heathen—literally, "nations."
12-19. The inference from the foregoing in Ps 33:12 is illustrated by God's special providence, underlying which is His minute knowledge of all men.
13. looketh—intently (Isa 14:16).
15. fashioneth—or, "forms," and hence knows and controls (Pr 21:1).
alike—without exception.
considereth—or, "understands"; God knows men's motives.
16, 17. Men's usual reliances in their greatest exigencies are, in themselves, useless.
17. On the war horse (compare Job 39:19-25).
a vain thing—a lie, which deceives us.
18, 19. Contrasted is God's guidance and power to save from the greatest earthly evil and its most painful precursor, and hence from all.
20-22. waiteth—in earnest expectation.
21. his holy name—(Compare Ps 5:12; 22:22; 30:4). Our faith measures mercy (Mt 9:29); and if of grace, it is no more of debt (Ro 11:6).