Psalms 148:14

Translation
King James Version
He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.
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KJV (with Strong's)
He also exalteth H7311 the horn H7161 of his people H5971, the praise H8416 of all his saints H2623; even of the children H1121 of Israel H3478, a people H5971 near H7138 unto him. Praise H1984 ye the LORD H3050.
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Complete Jewish Bible
He has increased the power of his people, granted praise to all his faithful, to the descendants of Isra'el, a people close to him. Halleluyah!
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Berean Standard Bible
He has raised up a horn for His people, the praise of all His saints, of Israel, a people near to Him. Hallelujah!
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American Standard Version
And he hath lifted up the horn of his people, The praise of all his saints; Even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye Jehovah.
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World English Bible Messianic
He has lifted up the horn of his people, the praise of all his holy ones; even of the children of Israel, a people near to him. Praise the LORD!
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Geneva Bible (1599)
For he hath exalted the horne of his people, which is a prayse for all his Saintes, euen for the children of Israel, a people that is neere vnto him. Prayse ye the Lord.
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Young's Literal Translation
And He exalteth the horn of His people, The praise of all His saints, Of the sons of Israel, a people near Him. Praise ye Jah!
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See also
Psalms 75:10Ephesians 2:17Deuteronomy 4:71 Samuel 2:11 Peter 2:9Deuteronomy 10:21Psalms 112:9
In the KJVVerse 16,386 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalm 148:14 serves as the climactic conclusion to a universal symphony of praise, strategically shifting its focus from the entirety of creation to God's specially chosen people, Israel. It profoundly declares that the Lord has uniquely elevated their strength, dignity, and honor, establishing them as a people intimately connected to Him through covenant. This unique relationship positions them as the preeminent channel for the praise of all His saints, underscoring Israel's privileged status and their inherent responsibility to continually and fervently magnify God's glory.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalm 148 is a magnificent hymn of universal praise, meticulously structured as a grand, escalating call to worship. It commences by summoning the celestial realms—the heavens, sun, moon, stars, and angels—to offer adoration to the Lord (verses 1-6). The psalm then transitions to the terrestrial sphere, inviting all earthly elements, natural phenomena, and diverse living creatures, from deep-sea monsters to creeping things, to join this cosmic chorus (verses 7-10). Finally, it extends the invitation to all humanity, encompassing kings, princes, young men, and maidens (verses 11-12). Verse 13 functions as a pivotal summary, emphasizing God's unique name and supreme glory above all creation. Verse 14, the concluding statement, then acutely narrows the focus to Israel, identifying them as the specific beneficiaries of God's exalting power and the designated vehicle for His praise. This precise focus provides a fitting and deeply significant climax to the psalm's expansive declaration of divine majesty and universal worthiness of praise.

  • Historical & Cultural Context: The imagery embedded in Psalms 148:14, particularly the phrase "exalteth the horn," is profoundly rooted in ancient Near Eastern culture. The "horn" was a pervasive and potent symbol of strength, power, dignity, victory, and often, royal authority or military might. To "exalt the horn" signified a divine act of restoring or increasing one's power and honor, frequently implying vindication in the face of adversaries or a bestowed empowerment. The designation of Israel as "a people near unto him" speaks directly to their unparalleled covenant relationship, uniquely established at Mount Sinai, which set them apart from all other nations. This intimate proximity implied not only extraordinary privilege but also profound responsibility—to live in accordance with God's divine laws and to serve as a living witness to His character and faithfulness among the nations. The psalm likely reflects a post-exilic context or a period of national restoration, where the people of Israel, having endured hardship and dispersion, were powerfully reminded of God's unwavering faithfulness in upholding their dignity, purpose, and special status.

  • Key Themes: This concluding verse powerfully encapsulates several foundational themes prevalent throughout the Psalms and the broader Old Testament narrative. The theme of Divine Exaltation and Empowerment is central, portraying God as the sovereign agent who lifts up and strengthens His people, bestowing upon them honor and victory. This resonates deeply with promises of restoration and vindication found in prophetic literature, such as when Hannah declares, "My horn is exalted in the LORD". The verse also highlights Israel's Unique Covenant Relationship, emphasizing their cherished status as "a people near unto him," chosen by God out of all the nations to be His treasured possession, as explicitly articulated in Deuteronomy 7:6. This intimate proximity is a source of both unparalleled privilege and weighty responsibility. Furthermore, the verse underscores the Purpose of Praise, revealing that God's acts of exalting and drawing His people near are ultimately purposed for eliciting profound and continuous praise. Their strength and privileged position are not for self-glory but to serve as a living testimony to God's faithfulness, power, and goodness, culminating in the resounding command, "Praise ye the LORD," which frames the entire psalm and echoes the divine intention for His people to "proclaim my praise".

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • exalteth (Hebrew, rûwm', H7311): A primitive root meaning "to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)." In this context, it signifies God's active, deliberate, and powerful role in elevating His people, granting them prominence, dignity, and strength. It implies a divine act of promotion, restoration, or vindication, often in contrast to a previous state of lowliness, oppression, or obscurity. This is not self-exaltation, but a divine bestowal of honor.
  • horn (Hebrew, qeren', H7161): Meaning "a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance, an elephant's tooth (i.e. ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light); figuratively, power." As a powerful metaphor, the horn represents strength, power, dignity, and victory. When God "exalts the horn" of His people, it means He increases their power, honor, and influence, often implying triumph over their adversaries and a restoration of their national prestige and vitality. This imagery is frequently used in biblical poetry to denote divine empowerment and sovereign blessing.
  • saints (Hebrew, châçîyd', H2623): Meaning "properly, kind, i.e. (religiously) pious (a saint); godly (man), good, holy (one), merciful, saint, (un-) godly." Derived from the Hebrew word chesed (steadfast love, covenant loyalty), châçîyd refers to those who are "kind," "pious," "godly," or "loyal" to God. These are individuals who demonstrate faithfulness, devotion, and covenant obedience, and who are, in turn, recipients of God's steadfast love and covenant blessings. They are the "holy ones" or "devout ones," set apart for God's purposes, characterized by their reciprocal loyalty to His covenant.

Verse Breakdown

  • "He also exalteth the horn of his people,": This opening clause declares God's sovereign and active intervention in raising the status, power, and dignity of His chosen nation. The "horn" serves as a potent symbol of their strength, honor, and capacity for victory. God is the ultimate source of their empowerment and vindication, lifting them from potential obscurity, weakness, or oppression to a position of honor and influential standing among the nations.
  • "the praise of all his saints;": This phrase identifies the profound purpose and ultimate outcome of God's divine exaltation. The "saints" (or chasidim) are the loyal, godly, and covenant-keeping ones among His people. Their very existence, their restored strength, and their privileged position become a living testament, a visible manifestation, and a continuous source of praise directed back to God. They are uniquely positioned and morally obligated to offer Him honor and adoration for His mighty acts on their behalf.
  • "[even] of the children of Israel, a people near unto him.": This clause serves to clarify and specify the identity of "his people" and "his saints" as the "children of Israel." The subsequent phrase, "a people near unto him," profoundly emphasizes their unique, intimate, and exclusive covenantal relationship with God. Unlike any other nation, Israel was divinely chosen, called, and brought into a special, unparalleled proximity with the Divine, receiving His law, His promises, and His direct presence, which further underscores their unparalleled reason and responsibility for fervent praise.
  • "Praise ye the LORD.": This concluding imperative serves as the ultimate call to action, summarizing and culminating the entire psalm's overarching theme. It is a direct, emphatic command addressed to the exalted people of Israel, and by extension, to all who recognize and benefit from God's mighty acts. It is an exhortation to offer fervent, continuous, and wholehearted praise to Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God, whose character and deeds are worthy of all laudation.

Literary Devices

Psalm 148:14 powerfully employs several significant literary devices, contributing to its profound impact. The most prominent is Metaphor, vividly expressed in the phrase "exalteth the horn." The "horn" is not a literal anatomical feature but a rich symbolic representation of strength, power, dignity, and victory, frequently associated with the authority of a king or the collective might of a nation. God's action of "exalting" this horn signifies His divine empowerment, vindication, and restoration of His people's standing. There is also clear Parallelism at play, where "his people" is clarified and reinforced by the appositional phrase "the children of Israel," and "the praise of all his saints" is intrinsically linked to this specific, chosen nation, creating a reinforcing poetic rhythm. The psalm as a whole is a quintessential example of Hymnody, a song of praise, and this final verse functions as a climactic summary, providing the ultimate, specific reason for the universal praise that precedes it. The direct command, "Praise ye the LORD," also functions as an Imperative, a direct and forceful call to action, reinforcing the psalm's overarching purpose and the central theme of worship.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Psalms 148:14 stands as a profound theological statement, affirming God's active, sovereign involvement in the history and destiny of His chosen people. It highlights the unique, intimate covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, underscoring that their exaltation and privileged proximity to God are not for their own self-aggrandizement but are fundamentally purposed to facilitate and amplify His praise. This verse teaches that divine favor, empowerment, and special status are ultimately granted for the sake of worship, transforming the beneficiaries into living conduits of God's renown and glory. It powerfully reaffirms God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, demonstrating His commitment to uphold, dignify, and restore those He has called into covenant with Himself, ultimately leading to a resounding declaration of His supremacy, goodness, and worthiness of all laudation from His redeemed people.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

For believers today, Psalms 148:14 offers profound insights into our identity, purpose, and the nature of God's work in our lives. As those grafted into the spiritual lineage of Abraham through faith in Christ, we are now truly "a people near unto him" by grace, experiencing God's exaltation not primarily in worldly power, but in spiritual strength, divine dignity, and the profound privilege of His indwelling presence. Our lives, marked by deliverance from the dominion of sin, adoption into His eternal family, and empowerment by His Holy Spirit, are intended to be a continuous offering of praise. This verse calls us to recognize that every blessing, every moment of divine vindication, every instance of spiritual empowerment, and indeed, every aspect of our identity as God's beloved children are ultimately given so that we might reflect His glory back to Him. Our praise is not merely an emotional response or an optional activity, but a theological imperative, a fitting and necessary acknowledgment of His boundless goodness, sovereign power, and redemptive love. It is our highest calling to live lives that consistently declare His worth.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what specific ways has God "exalted your horn" or spiritually strengthened you in your life, and how has that empowerment led to genuine praise?
  • How does understanding yourself as "a people near unto him" through Christ impact your daily walk, your sense of purpose, and your intimacy with God?
  • What practical and intentional steps can you take to ensure your life, like that of God's saints, becomes a more consistent and intentional "praise to the LORD"?

FAQ

What does "exalteth the horn of his people" mean for believers today?

Answer: For believers today, "exalteth the horn of his people" signifies God's ongoing work of spiritual empowerment, vindication, and restoration in our lives. While ancient Israel's "horn" often referred to national strength, military victory, and political prominence, for the church, it points to spiritual authority, dignity in Christ, and triumph over sin, spiritual adversaries, and the forces of darkness. Through Christ, we are given strength to overcome temptation, a new identity as God's beloved children, and the privilege of being His representatives in the world. It means God lifts us up from despair, equips us for His service, and restores our honor, enabling us to live lives that reflect His glory and demonstrate His power, as seen in passages like Ephesians 1:19-20, which speaks of the "immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe."

Who are "his saints" or "children of Israel" in a contemporary Christian context?

Answer: In a contemporary Christian context, "his saints" refers to all those who have been set apart by God through faith in Jesus Christ, demonstrating loyal love and faithfulness to Him. While "children of Israel" originally referred to the physical descendants of Jacob, the New Testament reveals that through Christ, the promises made to Israel are extended to all believers, regardless of ethnic origin. Believers are considered spiritual Israel, "Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29). Therefore, "his saints" and "children of Israel" in a broader theological sense encompass the entire body of Christ, the church, who are now "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

Why is Israel singled out for praise in this psalm that calls all creation to praise God?

Answer: Israel is singled out because they represent the pinnacle of God's redemptive work among humanity and are the unique recipients of His covenant promises and intimate presence. While all creation testifies to God's general revelation—His power and glory evident in the natural world—Israel received His special revelation—His law, His prophets, His direct communication, and His specific intervention in their history. Their experience of God's exaltation and their status as "a people near unto him" gave them a unique, profound, and specific reason to praise Him that differed from the general praise offered by the rest of creation. They were chosen to be a light to the nations, a living testimony to God's character and faithfulness, and thus their praise was meant to be a distinct and powerful witness to the world, as stated in Isaiah 43:21: "The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise."

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalms 148:14 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the true "horn of salvation" whom God has raised up for His people, as prophesied by Zechariah in Luke 1:69. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ perfectly exalted God's name and fully accomplished the redemption that empowers and dignifies His people. Furthermore, it is through Christ that all believers, both Jew and Gentile, become "a people near unto him." The formidable barrier of sin that separated humanity from a holy God has been decisively broken down by the precious blood of Jesus, bringing those who were once far off "near by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13). The church, as the spiritual Israel, is now comprised of "his saints," a royal priesthood and a holy nation, called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise through Him (1 Peter 2:9). Thus, the exaltation, the intimate proximity to God, and the continuous praise described in Psalm 148:14 are not merely historical ideals but are fully realized and made possible in the person and finished work of Jesus, who enables His redeemed people to live lives of continuous praise to the Lord, to the eternal glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).

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Commentary on Psalms 148 verses 7–14

Considering that this earth, and the atmosphere that surrounds it, are the very sediment of the universe, it concerns us to enquire after those considerations that may be of use to reconcile us to our place in it; and I know none more likely than this (next to the visit which the Son of God once made to it), that even in this world, dark and as bad as it is, God is praised: Praise you the Lord from the earth, Psa 148:7. As the rays of the sun, which are darted directly from heaven, reflect back (though more weakly) from the earth, so should the praises of God, with which this cold and infected world should be warmed and perfumed.

I. Even those creatures that are not dignified with the powers of reason are summoned into this concert, because God may be glorified in them, Psa 148:7-10. Let the dragons or whales, that sport themselves in the mighty waters (Psa 104:26), dance before the Lord, to his glory, who largely proves his own omnipotence by his dominion over the leviathan or whale, Job 41:1, etc. All deeps, and their inhabitants, praise God - the sea, and the animals there - the bowels of the earth, and the animals there. Out of the depths God may be praised as well as prayed unto. If we look up into the atmosphere we meet with a great variety of meteors, which, being a king of new productions (and some of them unaccountable), do in a special manner magnify the power of the great Creator. There are fiery meteors; lightning is fire, and there are other blazes sometimes kindled which may be so called. There are watery meteors, hail, and snow, and the vapours of which they are gendered. There are airy meteors, stormy winds; we know not whence they come nor whither they go, whence their mighty force comes nor how it is spent; but this we know, that, be they ever so strong, so stormy, they fulfil God's word, and do that, and no more than that, which he appoints them; and by this Christ showed himself to have a divine power, that he commanded even the winds and the seas, and they obeyed him. Those that will not fulfil God's word, but rise up in rebellion against it, show themselves to be more violent and headstrong than even the stormy winds, for they fulfil it. Take a view of the surface of the earth (Psa 148:9), and there are presented to our view the exalted grounds, mountains and all hills, from the barren tops of some of which, and the fruitful tops of others, we may fetch matter for praise; there are the exalted plants, some that are exalted by their usefulness, as the fruitful trees of various kinds, for the fruits of which God is to be praised, others by their stateliness, as all cedars, those trees of the Lord, Psa 104:16. Cedars, the high trees, are not the fruitful trees, yet they had their use even in God's temple. Pass we next to the animal kingdom, and there we find God glorified, even by the beasts that run wild, and all cattle that are tame and in the service of man, Psa 148:10. Nay, even the creeping things have not sunk so low, nor do the flying fowl soar so high, as not to be called upon to praise the Lord. Much of the wisdom, power, and goodness of the Creator appears in the several capacities and instincts of the creatures, in the provision made for them and the use made of them. When we see all so very strange, and all so very good, surely we cannot but acknowledge God with wonder and thankfulness.

II. Much more those creatures that are dignified with the powers of reason ought to employ them in praising God: Kings of the earth and all people, Psa 148:11, Psa 148:12. 1. God is to be glorified in and for these, as in and for the inferior creatures, for their hearts are in the hand of the Lord and he makes what use he pleases of them. God is to be praised in the order and constitution of kingdoms, the pars imperans - the part that commands, and the pars subdita - the part that is subject: Kings of the earth and all people. It is by him that kings reign, and people are subject to them; the princes and judges of the earth have their wisdom and their commission from him, and we, to whom they are blessings, ought to bless God for them. God is to be praised also in the constitution of families, for he is the founder of them; and for all the comfort of relations, the comfort that parents and children, brothers and sisters, have in each other, God is to be praised. 2. God is to be glorified by these. Let all manner of persons praise God. (1.) Those of each rank, high and low. The praises of kings, and princes, and judges, are demanded; those on whom God has put honour must honour him with it, and the power they are entrusted with, and the figure they make in the world, put them in a capacity of bringing more glory to God and doing him more service than others. Yet the praises of the people are expected also, and God will graciously accept of them; Christ despised not the hosannas of the multitude. (2.) Those of each sex, young men and maidens, who are accustomed to make merry together; let them turn their mirth into this channel; let it be sacred, that it may be pure. (3.) Those of each age. Old men must still bring forth this fruit in old age, and not think that either the gravity or the infirmity of their age will excuse them from it; and children too must begin betimes to praise God; even out of the mouth of babes and sucklings this good work is perfected. A good reason is given (Psa 148:13) why all these should praise the name of the Lord, because his name alone is excellent and worthy to be praised; it is a name above every name, no name, no nature, but his, has in it all excellency. His glory is above both the earth and the heaven, and let all inhabitants both of earth and heaven praise him and yet acknowledge his name to be exalted far above all blessing and praise.

III. Most of all his own people, who are dignified with peculiar privileges, must in a peculiar manner give glory to him, Psa 148:14. Observe, 1. The dignity God has put upon his people, even the children of Israel, typical of the honour reserved for all true believers, who are God's spiritual Israel. He exalts their horn, their brightness, their plenty, their power. The people of Israel were, in many respects, honoured above any other nation, for to them pertained the adoption, the glory, and the covenants, Rom 9:4. It was their own honour that they were a people near unto God, his Segulla, his peculiar treasure; they were admitted into his courts, when a stranger that came nigh must be put to death. They had him nigh to them in all that which they called upon him for. This blessing has not come upon the Gentiles, through Christ, for those that were afar off are by his blood made nigh, Eph 2:13. It is the greatest honour that can be put upon a man to be brought near to god, the nearer the better; and it will be best of all when nearest of all in the kingdom of glory. 2. The duty God expects from them in consideration of this. Let those whom God honours honour him: Praise you the Lord. Let him be the praise of all his saints, the object of their praise; for he is a praise to them. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, Deu 10:21. Some by the horn of his people understand David, as a type of Christ, whom God has exalted to be a prince and a Saviour, who is indeed the praise of all his saints and will be so for ever; for it is through him that they are a people near to God.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–14. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 148
"His confession is in earth and heaven" [Psalm 148:14]. What is "His confession"? Is it the confession wherewith He confesses? No, but that whereby all things confess Him, all things cry aloud: the beauty of all things is in a manner their voice, whereby they praise God. The heaven cries out to God, "You made me, not I myself." Earth cries out, "You created me, not I myself." How do they cry out? When you regard them, and findest this out, they cry out by your voice, they cry out by your regard. Regard the heavens, it is beautiful: observe the earth, it is beautiful: both together are very beautiful. He made them, He rules them, by His nod they are swayed, He orders their seasons, He renews their movements, by Himself He renews them. All these things then praise Him, whether in stillness or in motion, whether from earth below or from heaven above, whether in their old state or in their renewal. When you see all these things, and rejoicest, and art lifted up to the Maker, and gazest on "His invisible things understood by the things which are made," [Romans 1:20] "His confession is in earth and heaven:" that is, thou confesses to Him from things on earth, thou confesses to Him from things in heaven. And since He made all things, and nought is better than He, whatsoever He made is less than He, and whatsoever in these things pleases you, is less than He. Let not then what He has made so please you, as to withdraw you from Him who made: if you love what He made, love much more Him who made. If the things which He has made are beautiful, how much more beautiful is He who made them. "And He shall exalt the horn of His people." Behold what Haggai and Zachariah prophesied. Now the "horn of His people" is humble in afflictions, in tribulations, in temptations, in beating of the breast; when will He "exalt the horn of His people"? When the Lord has come, and our Sun is risen, not the sun which is seen with the eye, and "rises upon the good and the evil," [Matthew 5:45] but That whereof is said, To you that hear God, "the Sun of Righteousness shall rise, and healing in His wings;" [Malachi 4:2] and of whom the proud and wicked shall hereafter say, "The light of righteousness has not shined unto us, and the sun of righteousness rose not upon us." [Wisdom 5:6] This shall be our summer. Now during the winter weather the fruits appear not on the stock; you observe, so to say, dead trees during the winter. He who cannot see truly, thinks the vine dead; perhaps there is one near it which is really dead; both are alike during winter; the one is alive, the other is dead, but both the life and death are hidden: summer advances; then the life of the one shines brightly, the death of the other is manifested: the splendour of leaves, the abundance of fruit, comes forth, the vine is clothed in outward appearance from what it has in its stock. Therefore, brethren, now we are the same as other men: just as they are born, eat, drink, are clothed, pass their life, so also do the saints. Sometimes the very truth deceives men, and they say, "Lo, he has begun to be a Christian: has he lost his headache?" or, "because he is a Christian, what gains he from me?" O dead vine, you observe near you a vine that is bare indeed in winter, yet not dead. Summer will come, the Lord will come, our Splendour, that was hidden in the stock, and then "He shall exalt the horn of His people," after the captivity wherein we live in this mortal life....
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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