Psalms 89:17 Meaning: God Is the Glory of Their Strength
For you are the glory of their strength. In your favor, our horn will be exalted.
For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
For thou art the glory of their strength; And in thy favor our horn shall be exalted.
For the beauty of their strength art Thou, And in Thy good will is our horn exalted,
For thou art the glory of their strength; and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
Meaning in one sentence
What does it mean for God to be the glory of your strength and to exalt your horn? Psalm 89:17 teaches that all our strength finds its true honor in God.
Context
Psalm 89 was written by Ethan the Ezrahite, a wise man from the time of Solomon. The psalm begins by celebrating God's faithfulness to His covenant with David. In the verses leading up to verse 17, the poet has been praising God's mighty arm, His righteousness and justice, and the blessedness of the people who know the joyful sound. They walk in the light of God's presence. Then verse 17 declares why these people are so blessed: their strength finds its true glory in God, and His favor lifts them high. This is a song of confidence before the psalm turns to lament over apparent abandonment.
Key Words
Two words carry the weight of this verse. The first is glory. Commentators describe it as ornament, beauty, or honor. The point is not that the people have impressive strength, but that God Himself is the beauty and honor of whatever strength they possess. When a believer is strong in the Lord, that strength becomes a beautiful thing because it comes from Him, not from themselves.
The second is horn, an image that appears again and again in the Psalms and the song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1). A horn is a symbol of power, dignity, and victory. To have one's horn exalted means to be lifted up in honor, to stand tall. But notice: this exaltation happens through God's favor, not through human effort. The phrase in your favor is the hinge. It is God's good pleasure, His gracious delight in His people, that raises them up. Our strength may be real, but its glory and its lifting come from Him alone.
How Christians Read This Verse
Reformed commentators like Calvin see this verse within the framework of God's covenant promises, where the people's strength comes entirely from God. Wesley and Clarke emphasize that God alone deserves the glory for any strength or victory. Matthew Henry applies it spiritually to believers as a type of gospel blessings, where the church finds its joy and exaltation in God's righteousness. Across traditions, the common thread is clear: human strength finds its true honor only when it is seen as a gift from God. The horn is lifted not by our achievements but by His favor.
A common misunderstanding
Some read 'the glory of their strength' as a description of the people's own glorious strength. In fact, the verse says God is the glory of their strength. The strength itself is not the focus; the honor and beauty of any strength they have comes from Him, not from themselves. It is like a gift that shines not because of the wrapping paper but because of the giver.
Living This Out
This week, you might succeed at something at work, help a friend through a hard moment, or simply get through a long day. Before you take a bow, try whispering: You are the glory of my strength, Lord. That shifts the credit where it belongs. And when you feel small or overlooked, remember that your 'horn' is not something you have to lift yourself. God's favor does that. You can rest in His good pleasure, knowing He delights to raise you up in His time.
Main takeaway: God is the true glory behind every strength we have, and His favor alone lifts us up in honor.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God makes us strong. When you do something good, you can thank Him because He helped you. His love lifts you up like a big hug.
For ages 9, 12
This verse says God is the glory of our strength. That means when you are good at something, the best part of that strength is that it comes from God. He gives you the ability, so He deserves the credit. And when you feel small or weak, remember that God's favor is what lifts your 'horn', that is, He makes you stand tall with honor. You don't have to prove yourself; His love raises you up.
Questions People Ask
What does 'horn' mean in Psalm 89:17?
In ancient Israel, a horn was a symbol of strength, power, and honor. When the psalm says 'our horn will be exalted,' it means God lifts up His people in victory and dignity. This image appears throughout the Psalms and in Hannah's prayer (1 Samuel 2:1).
What does it mean that God is 'the glory of their strength' in this verse?
It means that any strength the people have finds its true beauty and honor in God, not in themselves. Their power is not something to boast about on its own; God is the one who makes it glorious. As Wesley put it, to God alone belongs the glory of all their achievements.
Is this verse about spiritual strength or physical strength?
Both. In context, the psalm is about the nation of Israel and their king, so physical victories and political strength are in view. But Christians have always read this verse spiritually as well: our ability to endure, to serve, to love, and to trust comes from God, and He is the glory of that strength.
Why does the psalmist mention 'your favor' as the reason the horn is exalted?
The point is that exaltation does not come from human effort or merit. It comes from God's good pleasure His favor. This reminds us that our standing and honor are gifts, not achievements. We can rest in the security of His grace.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study