Psalms 89:17

Context

Psalm 89 is a powerful psalm attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite, a wise man mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31. This psalm is deeply rooted in the Davidic covenant, celebrating God's steadfast love and faithfulness to King David and his descendants. It begins by extolling God's character and covenant promises, particularly the promise of an everlasting kingdom and dynasty (2 Samuel 7:16). Verse 17, "For thou [art] the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted," comes from the confident opening section (verses 1-18) where the psalmist affirms God as the ultimate source of Israel's strength, honor, and prosperity, setting the stage for the later lament where these promises appear to be challenged by national distress.

Key Themes

• God as the Source of All Strength: The verse unequivocally declares that God Himself is the "glory of their strength." This means any true power, honor, or might possessed by His people or their king originates solely from Him. It’s not human prowess but divine enablement.
• Divine Favor and Blessing: The exaltation of the "horn" is directly linked to God's "favour." This highlights that prosperity, dignity, and victory are not earned but are gracious gifts flowing from God's goodwill and acceptance towards His people.
• Exaltation and Victory: The imagery of the "horn shall be exalted" speaks of elevation, triumph, and increased authority. It signifies that God is able to lift up, establish, and grant success to those who rely on Him.

Linguistic Insights

• "Glory" (tipheret / תִּפְאֶרֶת): This Hebrew word conveys splendor, beauty, honor, and majesty. Here, it suggests that God is not just the giver of strength, but He *is* the very splendor and honor that defines and dignifies that strength.
• "Strength" (oz / עֹז): This term refers to might, power, and security. It is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's own mighty attributes and the power He bestows.
• "Favour" (ratzon / רָצוֹן): This word denotes delight, goodwill, acceptance, and pleasure. It emphasizes God's positive disposition and benevolent will towards His people, which results in their blessing and upliftment.
• "Horn" (qeren / קֶרֶן): In ancient Near Eastern cultures and biblical texts, the "horn" is a potent symbol of power, dignity, authority, and defense, much like the formidable horns of a wild ox. To have one's "horn exalted" (tarum qarnenu) means to be raised in power, status, or to achieve victory, as seen in Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1 or Zacharias' prophecy of a "horn of salvation" in Luke 1:69.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement and a call to humility for believers today. It reminds us that our true strength, success, and ability to overcome challenges do not come from our own efforts or resources, but are gifts from God. It encourages us to:

• Acknowledge God as our Source: To rely on God for all our needs and to give Him the glory for every achievement, understanding that "the battle is the Lord's" (1 Samuel 17:47).
• Seek His Favor: To live in a way that pleases God, knowing that His favor is the key to true exaltation and lasting blessing (Psalm 30:5).
• Trust in His Power to Lift Up: Even in times of weakness or adversity, we can find hope in God's ability to raise us up and grant us victory, not based on our merit but on His divine goodwill.