“He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.”
My Notes
What Does Psalms 147:10 Mean?
God doesn't delight in military power or human physical strength. The horse represents the most advanced military technology of the ancient world. The legs of a man represent human capability at its peak. God takes no pleasure in either.
This verse comes in a Psalm of praise (147), surrounded by celebrations of God's creative power and His care for Jerusalem. In context, the psalmist is contrasting what God values with what the world values. The world measures strength by horses and legs — military and physical power. God measures by something else entirely.
The next verse (11) gives the positive: "The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy." What delights God isn't your strength. It's your reverence and your trust. The horse impresses humans. Humility impresses God.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What 'horses' are you relying on — what forms of power or strength are you trusting more than God?
- 2.How does knowing that God delights in fear and hope (not strength and achievement) change your priorities?
- 3.Is it freeing or unsettling to know that God isn't impressed by your capabilities?
- 4.What does it look like practically to delight God — to fear Him and hope in His mercy — today?
Devotional
God doesn't care how strong your horse is. He doesn't care how fast you can run.
In a world that worships power — military power, physical power, economic power, institutional power — the psalmist says God isn't impressed by any of it. Not the strongest war horse. Not the most capable warrior. Not the most advanced technology. God yawns at the things that make the world's jaw drop.
What delights Him? Verse 11: fear and hope. Reverence for who He is and trust in His mercy. That's it. Not your accomplishments. Not your platform. Not your physical prowess or your military strategy. Your fear and your hope.
This is deeply leveling. The strongest person in the room and the weakest person in the room have exactly the same capacity to delight God. Because what delights Him isn't strength-dependent. It's posture-dependent. Anyone can fear God. Anyone can hope in His mercy. The playing field isn't just level — it's a different field entirely.
Stop trying to impress God with your strength. He's not looking at your horse. He's looking at your heart. And a heart that fears Him and hopes in His mercy — that's the thing that makes God take pleasure.
That's available to you right now. No horse required.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse,.... It has been his will and pleasure to give the horse strength for the…
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse - The horse is among the noblest works of God - perhaps the noblest of…
Here, I. The duty of praise is recommended to us. It is not without reason that we are thus called to it again and…
11. Based upon Psa 33:16-18. Jehovah's delight is not in physical strength, but in reverent trustfulness; a thought of…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture