Psalms 33:16

“There is no king saved by the multitude of an host, etc.] 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, (<19E410>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…”

“Men's usual reliances in their greatest exigencies are, in themselves, useless.”

“There is no king saved by the multitude of an host - By the number of his armies. His safety, however numerous and mighty may be his forces, is in God alone. He is the great Protector, whatever means men may use to defend themselves. The most numerous and the best organized armies cannot secure a victory. It is, after all, wholly in the hands of God. A wasting sickness in a camp may defeat all the plans of war; or success in battle may depend on contingencies which no commander could anticipate or provide against. A mutiny in a camp, or a panic on the battlefield, may disconcert the best-laid schemes; or forces may come against an army that were unexpected; or storm and tempest may…”

“No king - He instances in these, as the most uncontrollable persons in the world, and most confident of themselves. By which he strongly proves his general proposition, of God's powerful providence over all men. By an host - But only by God's providence, who disposes of victory and success, as he pleases, and that frequently to the weakest side. Psalms 33:17”

“33:16-17 army . . . great strength . . . warhorse: Even military might is under God’s control (see 33:10-11; Eccl 9:11).”

“no king: Psa 44:3, Psa 44:6, Psa 44:7; Exo 14:17, Exo 14:18, Exo 14:28; Jos 11:4-8; Jdg 7:2, Jdg 7:12-25; Sa1 14:8-16; Kg1 20:10, Kg1 20:27-29; Ch2 14:9-13, Ch2 20:12, Ch2 20:23, Ch2 32:8, Ch2 32:9, Ch2 32:21 mighty: Jos 14:12; Sa1 17:4, Sa1 17:45-49; Sa2 21:16-22; Jer 9:23 Psalms 33:17”