A misinterpretation of Psalms 33:17 views it as prohibiting all forms of defense, preparation, or technology like modern weaponry, stripping it of its poetic context in a psalm praising God's supremacy; it does not advocate pacifism or negligence but warns against trusting exclusively in physical strength or armies without acknowledging divine sovereignty, leading some to wrongly dismiss prudent human efforts altogether.
Psalms 33:17
King James Version (1769)
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
Psalms 33:17 teaches that military might, symbolized by the war horse, offers no true safety or deliverance despite its great strength, emphasizing that ultimate security comes from God alone who sovereignly controls the destinies of nations and watches over those who fear Him with faithful love rather than relying on human power or resources.