Psalm 33:17

An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

Cross-references

Psalm 147:10 states God takes no pleasure in horse strength, directly supporting the point that horses cannot save.

Psalm 20:7 Parallel

Psalm 20:7 contrasts trusting in chariots and horses with trusting in God's name—a direct parallel to the horse being a vain hope.

Psalm 44:6 Parallel

Psalm 44:6 says 'not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me' — a direct parallel to not trusting military might.

Hosea 14:3 Parallel

Hosea 14:3 explicitly renounces reliance on warhorses, reinforcing the futility of such trust.

In Isaiah 30:16, the same warning is echoed: those who trust in horses for escape will be pursued and defeated.

Proverbs 21:31 states the horse is prepared for battle but victory belongs to the LORD—a direct restatement of the psalm's point.

Micah 5:10 Parallel

Micah 5:10 echoes this theme: God will destroy horses and chariots, removing reliance on military might.

Deuteronomy 20:1 commands not to fear horses in war because God is with you—same principle of not relying on them.

Amos 2:15 Parallel

Amos 2:15 says the horse rider cannot save his life — a direct parallel to the psalm's claim that the horse cannot save.

Isaiah 31:3 Parallel

Isaiah 31:3 declares horses are flesh, not spirit, and cannot save — directly echoing the psalm's point about vain hope.

Isaiah 31:1 Parallel

Isaiah 31:1 pronounces woe on those who rely on horses and chariots instead of God — a strong parallel to the psalm's warning.

Job 39:11 Parallel

In Job 39:11, God asks if you can trust the horse's strength — directly reinforcing the psalm's claim that the horse is a vain hope.

1 Samuel 17:47 says the Lord saves not by sword or spear—parallel to not trusting in horse power for deliverance.

1 Samuel 2:9 declares 'It is not by strength that one prevails,' directly paralleling the idea that horse strength cannot save.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 says the battle is not to the strong, echoing the psalm's theme that human strength does not guarantee success.

2 Kings 7:6 Historical context

2 Kings 7:6 shows God using the sound of horses and chariots to cause the Syrian army to flee, proving human reliance on such forces is misplaced.

Judges 4:15 Historical context

In Judges 4:15, the LORD routs Sisera's chariots and army, illustrating that deliverance comes from God, not horses.

Job 39:19-25 describes the horse's might in battle, but Psalm 33:17 clarifies that strength cannot deliver—different angle on same subject.

Job 36:19 Parallel

Job 36:19 asks if human efforts or riches can remove distress — a parallel theme that human resources cannot save.

2 Kings 7:7 Historical context

2 Kings 7:7 describes the Syrians abandoning their horses and tents, underscoring that horses cannot save when God acts.

2 Samuel 8:4 records David hamstringing captured horses, a practical rejection of reliance on horse strength—narrative parallel.

Jeremiah 9:23 warns against boasting in might or riches — a broader parallel to not trusting human strength.

Jeremiah 46:6 describes the swift and warrior failing to escape — a parallel theme of human military failure.