The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Notice how the verse flips our expectations: it's not the powerful who get stronger, but the weak who themselves become strong. This isn't about external help, but an internal strengthening that comes from God, demonstrating His power is most evident when it's displayed through the seemingly powerless.
The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This is Hannah's prayer of thanksgiving after God has granted her a son, Samuel, whom she has dedicated to the Lord. She's celebrating God's justice and power, highlighting how He lifts up the humble and brings down the proud. This song stands in stark contrast to the corruption and injustice of the sons of Eli that are described immediately before and after.
Ever notice how often the 'strong' and 'mighty' in the world seem to have their plans crumble? Hannah's song points to a divine hand at work.
Hannah's song is a powerful declaration of God's character. She contrasts the fate of the powerful with the humble. The 'mighty' represent those who rely on their own strength, weapons, and influence – like a warrior with a strong bow. But in God's economy, these very instruments of their pride are rendered useless, 'broken.' This isn't random; it's a deliberate act of God who opposes the arrogant and exalts the lowly. It’s a reminder that worldly power and might are temporary and ultimately fragile in God's sight.
What does it mean to 'bind on strength'? It's not about finding it within yourself, but receiving it from the One who gives it.
The second part of the verse flips the perspective: 'but the feeble bind on strength.' This speaks to those who recognize their own weakness and turn to God. Their 'strength' isn't inherent; it's a gift, a power God 'girds' them with. It's like a warrior carefully securing their armor and weapons, but this isn't done by their own might. It's God who equips them, enabling them to stand and act. This transformation from feeble to fortified happens when one humbly trusts in the Lord.
Understand the original words
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gibbor · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Mighty refers to those possessing physical strength, military power, or worldly influence. The Scriptures frequently highlight that God humbles the arrogant powerful to manifest His own sovereign control.
kashal · Hebrew Adjective/Verb
Feeble refers to those who are weak, powerless, or impoverished in the eyes of the world. Scripture teaches that God often uses the weak to demonstrate His strength, reversing human expectations of success.
This Psalm echoes the sentiment that God will cut off the strength of the wicked, aligning with the breaking of the mighty's bows, and exalt the righteous.
Luke 1:52-53Mary's Magnificat directly parallels this idea, stating that God has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the humble and hungry.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29Paul highlights how God chooses what is weak and foolish in the world to shame the strong and wise, a spiritual parallel to the physical reversal described.
Matthew 11:5Jesus points to the signs of His ministry: the blind see, the lame walk, and the poor have the gospel preached to them, showing God's power working through the seemingly weak.
Notice how the verse flips our expectations: it's not the powerful who get stronger, but the weak who themselves become strong. This isn't about external help, but an internal strengthening that comes from God, demonstrating His power is most evident when it's displayed through the seemingly powerless.
This is Hannah's prayer of thanksgiving after God has granted her a son, Samuel, whom she has dedicated to the Lord. She's celebrating God's justice and power, highlighting how He lifts up the humble and brings down the proud. This song stands in stark contrast to the corruption and injustice of the sons of Eli that are described immediately before and after.
This is Hannah's prayer of thanksgiving after God has granted her a son, Samuel, whom she has dedicated to the Lord. She's celebrating God's justice and power, highlighting how He lifts up the humble and brings down the proud. This song stands in stark contrast to the corruption and injustice of the sons of Eli that are described immediately before and after.
"The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength." — Notice how the verse flips our expectations: it's not the powerful who get stronger, but the weak who themselves become strong. This isn't about external help, but an internal strengthening that co…
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Last reviewed October 2026