John Gill Commentary Proverbs 21:31

"The horse is prepared against the day of battle; But victory is of Jehovah." — Proverbs 21:31 (ASV)

The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle
The horse is a warlike creature, and was much used formerly, as now, in war; these are prepared against the day of battle, to mount the cavalry with; and men are apt to put too great confidence in them: this is mentioned instead of all other military preparations and instruments of war; but safety [is] of the Lord ;
a horse is a vain thing for safety, (Psalms 33:17) ; victory is only of the Lord; salvation depends upon him; it is he that covers men's heads in the day of battle, and gives them victory over their enemies.

Or "salvation [is] of the Lord" ^F15 ; this is true of spiritual and eternal salvation, as well as of temporal salvation; it is of the Lord, Father, Son and Spirit; and so is the safety of the saints; and their final perseverance to eternal glory, which is owing to the love of God, covenant interest, security in Christ, the grace of the Spirit, and the power of God; see (Hosea 14:3) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F15: (hewvth hwhyl) "a Domino autem (datur) salus". Tigurine version; "Domino est salvatio", Cocceius; "Jehovae est salus", Schultens; so Junius & Tremellius, Mercerus, Gejerus.