Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 33:16

"There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: A mighty man is not delivered by great strength." — Psalms 33:16 (ASV)

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 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 unexpected forces may come against an army; or storm and tempest may disarrange and frustrate the entire plan of the campaign. See Ecclesiastes 9:11.

A mighty man—a strong man; a giant—as Goliath of Gath. Strength is not the only thing necessary to secure a victory.

Is not delivered by much strength—by the mere fact that he is strong. Other things are needed to ensure success; and God has power so to arrange events that mere strength shall be of no avail.