Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 147:10
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
10. 11. Based upon Psa 33:16-18. Jehovah’s delight is not in physical strength, but in reverent trustfulness; a thought of consolation, parallel to Psa 147:6. Israel might look regretfully back to its ancient military power, or envy the forces of neighbouring nations; but it is by spiritual strength that its victories are to be won. The horse is the warhorse (Job 39:19): the man is the warrior, for whom strength and swiftness of foot were indispensable qualifications. Cp. Psa 20:7; Psa 18:33; Amo 2:14-15: and the standing epithet in Homer for Achilles, “swift of foot.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse – The horse is among the noblest works of God – perhaps the noblest of all the animals that he has made. See the notes at Job 39:19-25. Yet God regards with more interest and pleasure humble piety than he does any mere power, however great and wonderful it may be.
He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man – Not the same pleasure as in piety; he prefers the humble heart to this. The reference is to man as capable of rapid marches, of quick movements in assaulting an enemy; the allusion being, perhaps, to an army prepared for war – cavalry and infantry – the horse moving on with resistless force – the foot-soldiers with rapid motion.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 10. He delighteth not] The horse, among all animals, is most delighted in by man for beauty, strength, and fleetness. And a man’s legs, if well proportioned, are more admired than even the finest features of his face. Though God has made these, yet they are not his peculiar delight.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
As if he needed either the one or the other for the accomplishment of his designs.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
10, 11. The advantages afforded,as in war by the strength of the horse or the agility of man, do notincline God to favor any; but those who fear and, of course, trustHim, will obtain His approbation and aid.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse,…. It has been his will and pleasure to give the horse strength for the use and service of men, both for labour and war; and as this is a creature of his, and the work of his hands, it must be agreeable to him, Job 39:19 yet a horse, though prepared for the battle, is a vain thing for safety, which is only of the Lord; neither can it deliver any by its great strength; nor are a king and his country saved by the multitude of an host, or by a large cavalry: nor are these what the Lord delights in, nor does he save men for the sake of them; though a well-mounted cavalry may be a pleasing sight to men, and they may raise their expectations, and promise themselves great things from them; yet these are of no account with God, who can save as well without them as with them, Pr 21:31. The Targum is,
“he delighteth not in the strength of those that ride on horses;”
that are well mounted, and pride themselves in it; and are equipped for war, and are mighty to engage in it, and prepared to make their escape in danger: Kimchi’s note is,
“he delighteth not in man, who puts his confidence in the strength of the horse;”
see Ps 20:8;
he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man; in which his strength lies, and of which he is apt to glory; but should not, it being displeasing to God; who delights not therein, but in lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, Jer 9:23; not in the legs of a man of war, as Arama; which are strong to stand his ground, or swift to flee away when hard-pressed; see Am 2:14; so the Targum,
“he takes no pleasure in the legs of men that run;”
that are swift to run races, or to flee in battle; to this sense are the notes of Jarchi and Kimchi. It seems to intend the infantry in an army, as the cavalry before; and both intimate that neither horse nor foot are to be trusted in for safety, how pleasing or promising they may be, since God seeth not as man does: or reference may be had to athletic exercises of horse and foot races, of wrestling, combats, c. men may delight in, but God does not. What are pleasing to him are exercises of a spiritual kind such as fleeing to Jesus, the strong tower; running the Christian race, to obtain the incorruptible crown; wrestling against principalities and powers, and such acts of grace as are next mentioned.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
10. Not in the strength of the horse, etc. After the Psalmist has shown that there is proof of the divine goodness in every part of the world, he takes particular notice that men have no strength but what is given them from above, and this he adds with the express purpose of checking the pride by which almost all men are inflamed, and which leads them to trust in their own strength. The meaning of the passage is, that let man come in the preparation of his own strength, and with all the assistance’s that seem to him most prevalent, this will only issue in smoke and vanity; nay, that in arrogating the very least to himself, this will only be a hindrance in the way of the mercy of God, by which alone we stand. The strength of the horse is mentioned by synecdoche to denote any kind of protection. Not that God is displeased with those things in themselves considered which he has given us as helps, but it is necessary that we be withdrawn from a false confidence in them, for very commonly when any resource is at hand, we are foolishly intoxicated and lifted up with pride. He opposes the fear of God therefore to the strength both of men and of horses, and places his hope in his mercy, intimating that it is highly incumbent upon us to show our moderation in worshipping God with reverence and holiness, and depending upon his grace. Hence we learn that he only condemns that strength which would take from God the honor due to him.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(10) Strength of the horse . . . legs of a man.This somewhat strange antithesis has been explained to refer to cavalry and infantry, but the much more expressive passage, Psa. 33:16-17, which was plainly before this poet, would hardly have been altered so strangely. The horse as a type of strength and endurance was of course common. (Comp. especially Job. 39:19-25.) And we have before seen that Eastern nations naturally select fleetness of foot as the typical quality in a vigorous warrior. (See Psa. 18:33.)
The constant epithet swift-footed Achilles, suggests the best explanation of the second clause of the verse. (Comp. 2Sa. 2:18).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
10. Delighteth not taketh not pleasure Hebrew poetry loves to divide thoughts into parallel expressions. The English would be more likely to say: “The strength and legs (speed) of horse or man.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 147:10. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse See Psa 33:16-17. Mr. Green renders this, He delighteth not in the courage of the horse, nor is pleased with the agility of the warrior. The meaning seems to be, “The Lord, who fighteth for us, (see Neh 4:20.) will not take part with our enemies, though they are superior to us in the strength of their cavalry and the agility of their infantry. These, though the natural causes of military success, are of no efficacy against the interposition of the Deity. The fear of him is a more certain assurance of conquest, than any or all human resources.”
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 147:10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
Ver. 10. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse ] Plutarch in Numa saith the same, Y , God careth not for horses, or any such helps as wherein carnal people confide, as if they had no need of God. Origen observeth that in the conquest of Canaan, the enemies had horses and chariots, but Israel had none. And it is expressly cautioned that the king of Israel “shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses,” Deu 17:16 , lest they should occasion him or his people to trade with that idolatrous people, 1Ki 10:26 ; 1Ki 10:28 , or to trust in the number and strength of that warlike creature, a horse, Pro 21:31 .
He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
He taketh not. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “Nor taketh delight”.
man. Hebrew ‘ish. App-4.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
delighteth: Psa 20:7, Psa 33:16-18, Job 39:19-25, Pro 21:31, Isa 31:1, Hos 1:7
he taketh: 1Sa 16:7, 2Sa 1:23, 2Sa 2:18-23, Ecc 9:11
Reciprocal: Num 14:8 – delight Jos 11:6 – horses Jdg 5:22 – horsehoofs 1Ch 28:4 – among the sons Job 22:3 – any pleasure Job 39:11 – trust Psa 33:17 – his great Psa 37:23 – delighteth Ecc 5:4 – for Isa 9:17 – have no joy Isa 30:16 – for we will Jer 46:6 – not 1Pe 3:4 – which is in
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 147:10-11. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse, &c. As if he needed either one or the other for the accomplishment of his designs: see the note on Psa 33:16-17. Mr. Green translates the verse, He delights not in the courage of the horse, nor is pleased with the agility of the warrior; and Bishop Patrick connects it with the preceding verse: and paraphrases it thus: Let us not doubt, then, but he that takes care of crows will much more take care of us; and not be afraid, though we are of little force, (Neh 4:3; Neh 7:4,) and have no armies of horse and foot to defend us: for the Lord, who fights for us, hath no need of these, (4:29,) and will not take part with our enemies, because they are superior to us in the strength of their horses, and the nimbleness of their soldiers. But the Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him He delights to give those his assistance and protection who, worshipping him devoutly, fear to offend him; and having no help in themselves, nor any earthly refuge to flee to, depend, notwithstanding, with a steadfast faith on his infinite mercy.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
147:10 He delighteth not in the {h} strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
(h) Though to use lawful means is both profitable and pleases God, yet to put our trust in them is to defraud God of his honour.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
God does not take pleasure in the symbols of strength that impress humans. He sees and delights in what demonstrates true spiritual strength, namely, trust in Himself. This makes Him praiseworthy.
"It is an awesome thought that we can bring pleasure to the heart of the heavenly Father (Psa 35:27; Psa 37:23; Psa 149:4)." [Note: Ibid., p. 380.]