Psalm 33:16
 Psalm 33:16 
New International Version (©2011)
No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.

New Living Translation (©2007)
The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.

English Standard Version (©2001)
The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
The king is not saved by a mighty army; A warrior is not delivered by great strength.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
A king is not saved by a large army; a warrior will not be delivered by great strength.

International Standard Version (©2012)
A king is not saved by a large army; a mighty soldier is not delivered by his great strength.

NET Bible (©2006)
No king is delivered by his vast army; a warrior is not saved by his great might.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
A King is not saved by a multitude of an army, neither is a mighty man delivered by the multitude of his power.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
No king achieves a victory with a large army. No warrior rescues himself by his own great strength.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

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

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

Douay-Rheims Bible
The king is not saved by a great army: nor shall the giant be saved by his own great strength.

Darby Bible Translation
The king is not saved by the multitude of his forces; a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

English Revised Version
There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by great strength.

Webster's Bible Translation
There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

World English Bible
There is no king saved by the multitude of an army. A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.

Young's Literal Translation
The king is not saved by the multitude of a force. A mighty man is not delivered, By abundance of power.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

33:12-22 All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we need not fear whatever is against us. We are to give to him the glory of his special grace. All human devices for the salvation of our souls are vain; but the Lord's watchful eye is over those whose conscientious fear of his name proceeds from a believing hope in his mercy. In difficulties they shall be helped; in dangers they shall not receive any real damage. Those that fear God and his wrath, must hope in God and his mercy; for there is no flying from him, but by flying to him. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us; let us always have the comfort and benefit, not according to our merits, but according to the promise which thou hast in thy word given to us, and according to the faith thou hast by thy Spirit and grace wrought in us.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 16. - There is no king saved by the multitude of an host; literally, the king is not saved by the greatness of his host. The article, however, is used generically, as it is with "horse" in the next verse, so that the translation of the Authorized Version gives the true sense. (For illustration of the sentiment, see 2 Chronicles 14:11; 1 Macc. 3:19.) A mighty man is not delivered by much strength (comp. 1 Samuel 17:47).


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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, Psalm 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.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

16, 17. Men's usual reliances in their greatest exigencies are, in themselves, useless.


Psalm 33:16 Parallel Commentaries

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Praise is Fitting for the Upright
15He fashions their hearts alike; he considers all their works. 16There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 17An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. …

1 Samuel 2:9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. "It is not by strength that one prevails;
Psalm 44:6 I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory;
Psalm 60:11 Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless.
Jeremiah 48:14 "How can you say, 'We are warriors, men valiant in battle'?
Hosea 10:13 But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors,
Amos 2:14 The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life.