◄ Psalm 75:10 ►
"All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous will be exalted."
Study Bible
I will cut off all the horns of the wicked
The phrase "I will cut off" signifies a decisive action taken by God against the wicked. In Hebrew, the word used here is "karath," which means to cut down or destroy. This reflects God's sovereign power and authority to judge and remove evil. The imagery of cutting off "horns" is significant in biblical symbolism. Horns often represent strength and power, particularly in the context of animals like bulls or rams. By stating that He will cut off the horns of the wicked, God is declaring His intention to dismantle the power and influence of those who oppose His righteousness. This is a reassurance to the faithful that evil will not prevail indefinitely.

but the horns of the righteous will be exalted
In contrast, "the horns of the righteous" being "exalted" indicates a divine elevation and empowerment of those who live in accordance with God's will. The Hebrew word for "exalted" is "rum," which means to lift up or raise high. This suggests that God will honor and strengthen the righteous, granting them victory and prominence. The righteous, those who are in right standing with God, can trust in His promise to elevate them above their adversaries. This part of the verse serves as an encouragement to believers to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that God will ultimately vindicate and bless them. The juxtaposition of cutting off the wicked and exalting the righteous underscores the theme of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to Asaph, a leader of one of the temple choirs, who often wrote about God's justice and sovereignty.

2. The Wicked
Represents those who oppose God and His ways, often characterized by pride and rebellion.

3. The Righteous
Those who follow God's commandments and live according to His will, often experiencing His favor and protection.

4. Horns
Symbolic of strength and power in biblical literature, often used to represent authority or dominance.

5. God's Judgment
The event where God exercises His justice, cutting off the power of the wicked and exalting the righteous.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Justice
God is the ultimate judge who will cut off the power of the wicked. We can trust in His timing and justice.

The Symbolism of Horns
Understanding the biblical symbolism of horns helps us grasp the depth of God's promise to empower the righteous.

Living Righteously
The promise of being lifted up is for those who live according to God's will. Our daily choices should reflect our commitment to righteousness.

Hope for the Oppressed
This verse offers hope to those who feel oppressed by the wicked, reminding them that God will ultimately vindicate them.

Encouragement in Trials
In times of trial, remember that God sees and will act. Our strength comes from Him, and He will lift us up in due time.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the symbolism of "horns" in Psalm 75:10 enhance our understanding of God's promise to the righteous?

2. In what ways can we see God's justice at work in the world today, and how does this verse encourage us to trust in His ultimate plan?

3. How can we apply the principle of God lifting the righteous in our daily lives, especially when facing challenges or opposition?

4. What other biblical examples can you find where God "cuts off" the power of the wicked and exalts the righteous?

5. How does the promise of God exalting the righteous influence your personal walk with Him and your interactions with others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Hannah's prayer, which speaks of God exalting the horn of His anointed, parallels the theme of God lifting the righteous.

Psalm 92:10
This verse also speaks of God exalting the horn of the righteous, reinforcing the idea of divine favor and strength.

Luke 1:69
Refers to Jesus as a "horn of salvation," connecting the concept of divine strength and deliverance to the Messiah.

Revelation 5:6
Describes the Lamb with seven horns, symbolizing perfect power and authority, which contrasts with the power of the wicked being cut off.
Sermons
Horns Cut OffR. Tuck Psalm 75:10
God Revealed in NatureThe Signal.Psalm 75:1-10
God's Nearness to the WorldHomilistPsalm 75:1-10
God's Works Declare HimPsalm 75:1-10
The Nearness of GodR. Simpson, M. A.Psalm 75:1-10
The Righteous Judgment of GodC. Short Psalm 75:1-10
The Undaunted OneS. Conway Psalm 75:1-10
A Model of Devout PraiseW. Jones.Psalm 75:9-10
People
Asaph, Jacob, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
76, Chief, Cut, Exalted, Horns, Instruments, Lifted, Musician, Psalm, Righteous, Sinners, Song, Stringed, Upright, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 75:10

     4654   horn

Library
Of Compunction of Heart
If thou wilt make any progress keep thyself in the fear of God, and long not to be too free, but restrain all thy senses under discipline and give not thyself up to senseless mirth. Give thyself to compunction of heart and thou shalt find devotion. Compunction openeth the way for many good things, which dissoluteness is wont quickly to lose. It is wonderful that any man can ever rejoice heartily in this life who considereth and weigheth his banishment, and the manifold dangers which beset his soul. …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Advertisement.
It seems necessary to give the following outline of the history of this Oxford translation. It was undertaken as part of the great series of original translations which appeared "under the patronage of William, Archbishop of Canterbury, from its commencement, a.d. 1836, until his Grace's departure in peace, a.d. 1848." It proposed to include all the "Fathers of the Holy Catholic Church before the division of the East and West," and this exposition was dedicated as a memorial of Archbishop Howley …
St. Augustine—Exposition on the Book of Psalms

Derivative Doctrines. Grace and the Means of Grace; the Christian Life; the Last Things.
The idea of Grace is important to the theological system of Athanasius, in view of the central place occupied in that system by the idea of restoration and new creation as the specific work of Christ upon His fellow-men (supra, §2, cf. Orat. ii. 56, Exp. in Pss. xxxiii. 2, cxviii. 5, LXX.). But, in common with the Greek Fathers generally, he does not analyse its operation, nor endeavour to fix its relation to free will (cf. Orat. i. 37 fin., iii. 25 sub fin.). The divine predestination relates …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

The Power of God
The next attribute is God's power. Job 9:19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong.' In this chapter is a magnificent description of God's power. Lo, he is strong.' The Hebrew word for strong signifies a conquering, prevailing strength. He is strong.' The superlative degree is intended here; viz., He is most strong. He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. Gen 17:7. His almightiness lies in this, that he can do whatever is feasible. Divines distinguish between authority and power. God has both. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Mountainous Country of Judea.
"What is the mountainous country of Judea? It is the king's mountain." However Judea, here and there, doth swell out much with mountains, yet its chief swelling appears in that broad back of mountains, that runs from the utmost southern cost as far as Hebron, and almost as Jerusalem itself. Which the Holy Scripture called "The hill-country of Judah," Joshua 21:11; Luke 1:39. Unless I am very much mistaken,--the maps of Adricomus, Tirinius, and others, ought to be corrected, which have feigned to …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Of his Cross what Shall I Speak, what Say? this Extremest Kind of Death...
9. Of His cross what shall I speak, what say? This extremest kind of death He chose, that not any kind of death might make His Martyrs afraid. The doctrine He shewed in His life as Man, the example of patience He demonstrated in His Cross. There, you have the work, that He was crucified; example of the work, the Cross; reward of the work, Resurrection. He shewed us in the Cross what we ought to endure, He shewed in the Resurrection what we have to hope. Just like a consummate task-master in the matches …
St. Augustine—On the Creeds

St. Malachy's Apostolic Labours, Praises and Miracles.
[Sidenote: 1140, October] 42. (23). Malachy embarked in a ship, and after a prosperous voyage landed at his monastery of Bangor,[576] so that his first sons might receive the first benefit.[577] In what state of mind do you suppose they were when they received their father--and such a father--in good health from so long a journey? No wonder if their whole heart gave itself over to joy at his return, when swift rumour soon brought incredible gladness even to the tribes[578] outside round about them. …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion.
(Friday. Toward Sunrise.) ^A Matt. XXVII. 15-30; ^B Mark XV. 6-19; ^C Luke XXIII. 13-25; ^D John XVIII. 39-XIX 16. ^a 15 Now at the feast [the passover and unleavened bread] the governor was wont { ^b used to} release unto them ^a the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. { ^b whom they asked of him.} [No one knows when or by whom this custom was introduced, but similar customs were not unknown elsewhere, both the Greeks and Romans being wont to bestow special honor upon certain occasions by releasing …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Ci. Foretelling his Passion. Rebuking Ambition.
(Peræa, or Judæa, Near the Jordan.) ^A Matt. XX. 17-28; ^B Mark X. 32-45; ^C Luke XVIII. 31-34. ^b 32 And they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem [Dean Mansel sees in these words an evidence that Jesus had just crossed the Jordan and was beginning the actual ascent up to Jerusalem. If so, he was in Judæa. But such a construction strains the language. Jesus had been going up to Jerusalem ever since he started in Galilee, and he may now have still be in Peræa. The parable …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Eternity of God
The next attribute is, God is eternal.' Psa 90:0. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.' The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. I. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end; as all sensitive creatures, the beasts, fowls, fishes, which at death are destroyed and return to dust; their being ends with their life. 2. Such as had a beginning, but shall have no end, as angels and the souls of men, which are eternal …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

A Few Sighs from Hell;
or, The Groans of the Damned Soul: or, An Exposition of those Words in the Sixteenth of Luke, Concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar WHEREIN IS DISCOVERED THE LAMENTABLE STATE OF THE DAMNED; THEIR CRIES, THEIR DESIRES IN THEIR DISTRESSES, WITH THE DETERMINATION OF GOD UPON THEM. A GOOD WARNING WORD TO SINNERS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY COME INTO THE SAME PLACE OF TORMENT. Also, a Brief Discourse touching the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Providence of God
Q-11: WHAT ARE GOD'S WORKS OF PROVIDENCE? A: God's works of providence are the acts of his most holy, wise, and powerful government of his creatures, and of their actions. Of the work of God's providence Christ says, My Father worketh hitherto and I work.' John 5:17. God has rested from the works of creation, he does not create any new species of things. He rested from all his works;' Gen 2:2; and therefore it must needs be meant of his works of providence: My Father worketh and I work.' His kingdom …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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