What does Psalms 89:17 mean?
"For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted." - Psalms 89:17

Psalm 89:17 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, "For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favor our horn shall be exalted." This verse is a part of a larger passage in Psalm 89 which speaks about the faithfulness and sovereignty of God. In order to fully understand the meaning and significance of this verse, it is important to consider its context within the entire Psalm and the broader themes and symbolism present in the Bible.
Psalm 89 is attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite and is a contemplation on the Davidic Covenant, the promise that God made with King David that his descendants would rule over Israel forever. The Psalm begins with a declaration of God's faithfulness and strength, and the covenant that He established with David. It reflects on God's promises to David and his descendants, and how God's faithfulness and steadfast love are their source of hope and security.
In verse 17, the psalmist declares that God is the "glory of their strength." This is a powerful statement that reflects the psalmist's understanding of God as the source of all strength and power. It acknowledges that any strength or power that the people possess comes from God and is ultimately attributable to Him. This idea is consistent with the broader biblical theme of God as the giver of strength and the ultimate source of power and authority. It also underscores the importance of relying on God for strength and not on our own abilities or resources.
The verse also speaks of God's favor and the exaltation of "our horn." The "horn" is a symbol of strength and honor throughout the Bible, and to have one's horn exalted is to be elevated and empowered by God. This imagery is often used in the context of God's divine intervention and protection, and reflects the idea that God is the one who raises up and exalts the righteous. This concept is echoed in other parts of the Bible, such as in 1 Samuel 2:10 where Hannah prays, "The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed."
The broader context of Psalm 89 and the themes present in the Bible as a whole provide a rich and layered understanding of the meaning of this verse. It speaks to the sovereignty of God, His faithfulness to His promises, and His role as the ultimate source of strength and power. It also conveys the idea of divine favor and the exaltation of the righteous, highlighting the belief that God is the one who lifts up His people and grants them strength and honor.
Overall, Psalm 89:17 is a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty and the reliance of His people on Him for strength and exaltation. It is a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's faithfulness and seeking His favor, as well as a reflection of the overarching biblical theme of God as the source of all strength and power. Through its rich imagery and symbolism, this verse offers a profound meditation on the nature of God and His relationship with His people.
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Psalms 89:17 - "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 favour our horn shall be exalted." - Psalms 89:17
Psalms 89:41 - "All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours."
"Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen." - Psalms 89:52
Psalms 89:15 - "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance."
"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." - Psalms 119:89
Psalms 89:52 - "Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen."
Psalms 89:31 - "If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;"
Psalms 89:32 - "Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes."
Psalms 119:89 - "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven."
Psalms 89:18 - "For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king."
Psalms 89:30 - "If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;"
Psalms 89:37 - "It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah."
"Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth." - Psalms 89:27
Psalms 89:27 - "Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth."
Psalms 89:35 - "Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David."
Psalms 89:36 - "His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me."
Psalms 89:16 - "In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted."
Psalms 89:22 - "The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him."
Psalms 89:25 - "I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers."
Psalms 89:34 - "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips."
Psalms 89:21 - "With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him."
Psalms 89:29 - "His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven."
Psalms 89:13 - "Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand."
Psalms 89:7 - "God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him."
Psalms 89:9 - "Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them."
Psalms 89:38 - "But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed."
Psalms 89:44 - "Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground."
"His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven." - Psalms 89:29
Psalms 89:28 - "My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him."