This verse continues the offering of “words” that the people are to bring to Yahweh. Here most of the statements are in the negative, indicating areas in which the people have failed in the past. This verse uses several synecdoches, which are figures of speech in which a part is used for the whole, or a whole is used for a part. Assyria represents all the foreign powers with whom the Israelites made alliances, horses represents their own military power in which they trusted, and the work of our hands refers to the idols that they made and worshiped.

Assyria shall not save us: Assyria was a powerful nation to the north of Israel, and Israelite kings sometimes had to deal with them (see 2 Kgs 16–17; see also comments on 5.13). As part of their offering of “words,” the Israelites are to say that they will not look to a foreign nation for help.

We will not ride upon horses: Horses were considered important military equipment in those days (see comments on 1.7). This line means the Israelites will depend upon Yahweh, not on their military strength. Good News Translation‘s “war horses cannot protect us” is an attempt to make this clear. This statement is another part of their offering of “words” to Yahweh.

And we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands: The work of our hands refers to idols, images made by human hands. This expression is used elsewhere in the Old Testament for idols (see, for example, 2 Kgs 22.17; Isa 2.8), implying how foolish it is for the one who made the image to then worship the helpless image that could not exist without the skill of the person who made it (see also 13.2). The promise in these two lines is that they will not speak to such images and call them Our God. The Hebrew word for God is plural, so it may also be translated “gods” (New International Version, NET Bible). A third option is “god” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling), since idols are not the God of Israel.

In thee the orphan finds mercy: This line uses Hebrew terms that evoke tender feelings. The word for mercy involves kindness to those in need, along with a sense of tenderness usually connected with the love of a mother (see 1.6, where it is rendered “pitied”). Some versions say “compassion” (New International Version, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible) and others have “pity” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The Hebrew word for orphan usually refers to a child who has lost both parents. In this way the Hebrew words here make one think of a motherless person who receives care like that provided by a mother. Israel is considered to be an orphan, because its people have left their father, the LORD. Good News Translation renders orphan more broadly as “those who have no one else to turn to.” But this model goes beyond the text itself and is not the best one to follow.

It is not clear why Good News Translation inserts “O LORD” to begin this line. It may have been inserted to show contrast with the following verse, spoken by Yahweh rather than by the prophet. But this seems unnecessary.

A translation model for this verse is:

• The Assyrians will not save us,
no longer will we trust in our war horses.
What we have made with our own hands,
we will not call, ‘Our god.’
In you the orphan finds mercy.”

Quoted with permission from Dorn, Louis & van Steenbergen, Gerrit. A Handbook on Hosea. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2020. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .