Psalms 147:10
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בִגְבוּרַ֣ת
not in the strength
H1369
בִגְבוּרַ֣ת
not in the strength
Strong's:
H1369
Word #:
2 of 8
force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory
יֶחְפָּ֑ץ
He delighteth
H2654
יֶחְפָּ֑ץ
He delighteth
Strong's:
H2654
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Psalms 20:7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.1 Samuel 16:7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.Isaiah 31:1Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!Proverbs 21:31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.Ecclesiastes 9:11I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.Hosea 1:7But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.2 Samuel 1:23Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
Historical Context
Military might was the currency of ancient geopolitics. Empires rose and fell based on cavalry, chariots, and infantry. Israel, often militarily weaker than neighbors, faced constant temptation to trust alliances, weapons, or mercenaries rather than Yahweh. Psalms repeatedly contrast human military strength with divine deliverance (Psalm 20:7, 33:16-17, 44:6). Post-exilic Judah, a small province under Persian rule, had no military strength—only faith in God's covenant faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern equivalents of 'horses' and 'strong legs' tempt you to trust in human ability rather than God's power?
- How does God's lack of delight in natural strength challenge cultural narratives about success, power, and self-sufficiency?
- In what areas of weakness might God actually be positioning you for dependence on His strength rather than your own?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. This verse radically subverts cultural assumptions about divine favor. The Hebrew lo b'gevurat hasus yechpatz (לֹא בִגְבוּרַת הַסּוּס יֶחְפָּץ) uses yechpatz (delight, take pleasure) in the negative—God does NOT find pleasure in military might symbolized by war horses (sus, סוּס). Similarly, "the legs of a man" (shoqei ha'ish, שׁוֹקֵי הָאִישׁ) represent human strength, speed, and prowess in battle.
In ancient Near Eastern warfare, cavalry and foot soldiers were primary military assets. Horses symbolized wealth, power, and tactical advantage (see 1 Kings 10:26-29 on Solomon's horses; Isaiah 31:1 condemns trust in Egyptian horses). Fast runners could carry messages or outmaneuver enemies. Yet Yahweh's pleasure lies elsewhere—not in human or animal strength, but in covenant faithfulness (v. 11 continues: "The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him").
This principle appears throughout Scripture. God forbade Israel's kings from multiplying horses (Deuteronomy 17:16), precisely because military power tempts nations to trust arms rather than Yahweh. Zechariah prophesied the Messiah would come "lowly, and riding upon an ass" (Zechariah 9:9), not a war horse—fulfilled when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21:5). Paul declares God's power is "made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9), and worldly strength often opposes divine purpose (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).