He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

PSALMS 147:10KJV
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Psalms 147:10 (KJV)

What does Psalms 147:10 mean?

Psalms 147:10 says that God does not find joy in displays of physical power, like the strength of a horse or the muscular legs of a man. Instead, God’s delight is not in outward might or human ability, but in something deeper and less visible.

This verse is part of a song of praise, where the psalmist (likely addressing the people of Israel) highlights what truly matters to God. In the ancient world, horses symbolized military power and strong legs meant a capable warrior, but the psalmist is reminding listeners that God’s values are different from human values. The focus is on God’s priorities, not on what people usually admire.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 147:10

  • "delighteth" (חָפֵץ, chafetz): This word means to take pleasure in or desire. The verse uses it to stress that God’s enjoyment is not found in what humans often celebrate.
  • "strength" (גְּבוּרָה, gevurah): This word refers to might or power, especially in a military sense. The verse points out that God is not impressed by such strength.
  • "horse" (סוּס, sus): In ancient Israel, horses were symbols of war and national power, so mentioning them highlights the kind of strength people usually trust.
  • "legs" (שׁוֹק, shoq): This refers to the strong legs of a man, often associated with a warrior’s speed or endurance. The verse uses it to represent human ability and physical prowess.

Why Psalms 147:10 matters

  • Psalms 147:10 corrects the common assumption that God values the same things people do, like military might or physical strength.
  • The verse prepares the reader for the next verse, which explains what God does delight in: those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast love.
  • This verse helps set the tone for the whole psalm, which celebrates God’s care, wisdom, and priorities, rather than human achievement or power.

Where else these words appear

“legs” Hebrew H7785 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 29:22 Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration:
  • Leviticus 8:26 And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the LORD, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put them on the fat, and upon the right shoulder:
  • Deuteronomy 28:35 The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.

“pleasure” Hebrew H7521 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 33:10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
  • Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

“strength” Hebrew H1369 · used in 61 verses

  • Exodus 32:18 And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
  • Job 12:13 With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
  • Proverbs 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

“delighteth” Hebrew H2654 · used in 71 verses

  • Genesis 34:19 And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father.
  • Job 13:3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
  • Song of Solomon 2:7 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.