Bible Strands
Psalms 89:17
For You are the glory of their strength, and by Your favor our horn is exalted.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist speaks corporately, addressing God as the source of communal strength and favor within a liturgical declaration. This statement follows praise for God’s name and righteousness and precedes an acknowledgment of God as shield and king.
The words — תִפְאֶ֣רֶת (tif.'E.ret) translates literally as splendor or glory, and קַרְנֵֽ/נוּ (kar.Ne./nu) means our horn. The text states that God is the splendor of their strength and that by His favor their horn is exalted.
The thread — The horn motif appears in Psalms 75:10, Psalms 92:10, and Psalms 148:14, where divine exaltation replaces human power or cuts off the wicked. These passages consistently tie the raised horn to God’s action rather than human achievement.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that strength and elevated status originate from divine favor, not self-sufficiency. It requires the reader to attribute communal success and resilience to God’s will alone.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
Cross-references
- Psalms 75:10 “All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous will be exalted.”
- Psalms 92:10 But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; with fine oil I have been anointed.
- Psalms 148:14 He has raised up a horn for His people, the praise of all His saints, of Israel, a people near to Him. Hallelujah!
- 1 Samuel 2:10 Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder from heaven against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and will give power to His king. He will exalt the horn of His anointed.”
- Psalms 112:9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- 1 Samuel 2:1 At that time Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, for I rejoice in Your salvation.
- Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.
- Psalms 89:24 My faithfulness and loving devotion will be with him, and through My name his horn will be exalted.