26 The Hebrew text has a plural verb, “they paw.” For consistency and for stylistic reasons this is translated as a singular.
27 The armies would prepare for battles that were usually fought in the valleys, and so the horse was ready to charge. But in Ugaritic the word `mk means “force” as well as “valley.” The idea of “force” would fit the parallelism here well (see M. Dahood, “Value of Ugaritic for textual criticism,” 40 [1959]: 166).
28 Or “in strength.”
29 This may be the scimitar (see G. Molin, “What is a kidon?” 1 [1956]: 334–37).
30 “Swallow the ground” is a metaphor for the horse’s running. Gray renders the line: “quivering and excited he dashes into the fray.”
31 The use of אָמַן (’aman) in the Hiphil in this place is unique. Such a form would normally mean “to believe.” But its basic etymological meaning comes through here. The verb means “to be firm; to be reliable; to be dependable.” The causative here would mean “to make firm” or “to stand firm.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

He paws in the valley and exults in his strength;

he goes out to meet the weapons.

He laughs at fear and is not dismayed;

he does not turn back from the sword.

Upon him rattle the quiver,

the flashing spear, and the javelin.

With fierceness and rage he swallows the ground;

he cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet.

When the trumpet sounds, he says ‘Aha!’

He smells the battle from afar,

the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength,

and charges into the fray.

It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing;

it does not shy away from the sword.

The quiver rattles against its side,

along with the flashing spear and lance.

In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground;

it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.

At the blast of the trumpet it snorts, ‘Aha!’

It catches the scent of battle from afar,

the shout of commanders and the battle cry.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

He paws in the valley and rejoices in his strength;

he charges into battle.

He laughs at fear, since he is afraid of nothing;

he does not run from the sword.

A quiver rattles at his side,

along with a flashing spear and a javelin.

He charges ahead with trembling rage;

he cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet.

When the trumpet blasts, he snorts defiantly.

He smells the battle from a distance;

he hears the officers’ shouts and the battle cry.

NLTNew Living Translation

It paws the earth and rejoices in its strength

when it charges out to battle.

It laughs at fear and is unafraid.

It does not run from the sword.

The arrows rattle against it,

and the spear and javelin flash.

It paws the ground fiercely

and rushes forward into battle when the ram’s horn blows.

It snorts at the sound of the horn.

It senses the battle in the distance.

It quivers at the captain’s commands and the noise of battle.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

They paw in the valley, and it exults with strength;

it goes out to meet the battle.

It laughs at danger and is not dismayed,

and it does not turn back from before the sword.

Upon it the quiver rattles

along with the flash of the spear and the short sword.

With roar and rage it races over the ground,

and it cannot stand still at the sound of the horn.

Whenever a horn sounds, it says, ‘Aha!’

And it smells the battle from a distance—

the thunder of the commanders and the war cry.

KJV 1900King James Version

He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength:

He goeth on to meet the armed men.

He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted;

Neither turneth he back from the sword.

The quiver rattleth against him,

The glittering spear and the shield.

He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage:

Neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.

He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha;

And he smelleth the battle afar off,

The thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

Public Domain