Psalms 75:10

KJV

All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; [but] the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

KJV (with Strong's)

All the horns {H7161} of the wicked {H7563} also will I cut off {H1438}{H8762)}; but the horns {H7161} of the righteous {H6662} shall be exalted {H7311}{H8783)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will break down the strength of the wicked, but the strength of the righteous will be raised up.

Berean Standard Bible

“All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous will be exalted.”

American Standard Version

All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; But the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 75:10 serves as a powerful declaration of God's unyielding commitment to justice, sovereignty, and the ultimate reversal of fortunes. It succinctly summarizes the divine decree that all sources of power, pride, and influence belonging to the wicked will be utterly dismantled, while the dignity, strength, and honor of the righteous will be divinely elevated and affirmed. This verse encapsulates the core message of the psalm, assuring believers of God's active intervention in human affairs as the supreme Judge.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 75 is an "Asaphic Psalm," attributed to Asaph, a chief musician and seer during the time of King David. It is a psalm of thanksgiving and a prophetic declaration of God's righteous judgment. The psalm opens with a communal vow to give thanks to God for His wondrous works, as seen in [Psalms 75:1](/psalms/75-1 "Psalm 75:1 - Thanksgiving for God's Wondrous Works"). This quickly transitions into a divine oracle, where God Himself declares His appointed time for judgment: "When I choose the appointed time, I will judge uprightly," a powerful assertion found in [Psalms 75:2](/psalms/75-2 "Psalm 75:2 - God's Appointed Time for Judgment"). The psalmist then describes the shaking of the earth and its inhabitants, with God being the one who establishes its pillars, as affirmed in [Psalms 75:3](/psalms/75-3 "Psalm 75:3 - God Upholds the Earth"). Warnings are issued against boasting and speaking arrogantly, a theme elaborated in [Psalms 75:4-5](/psalms/75-4-5 "Psalm 75:4-5 - Warning Against Arrogance"), followed by the crucial assertion that promotion and demotion come from God alone, not from human effort or geographical direction, as highlighted in [Psalms 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6-7 "Psalms 75:6-7 - God is the Judge"). The imagery of a cup of wrath, full of mixed wine, which the wicked must drink down to its dregs, vividly portrays divine retribution in [Psalms 75:8](/psalms/75-8 "Psalms 75:8 - The Cup of God's Wrath"). The psalmist then vows to declare God's justice forever, a commitment expressed in [Psalms 75:9](/psalms/75-9 "Psalms 75:9 - The Psalmist's Vow to Praise God"). Verse 10 serves as a powerful, climactic summary and a definitive statement of the inevitable outcome of God's sovereign judgment, reinforcing the themes introduced earlier in the psalm.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of "horns" as a symbol of power, strength, and authority was deeply ingrained in the ancient Near Eastern (ANE) consciousness. This imagery derived from horned animals like oxen, bulls, and rams, whose horns represented their formidable strength and defensive or offensive capabilities. Kings and deities were often depicted with horned helmets or crowns to signify their might and divine authority. In a society where power dynamics were often brutal and justice could be elusive, the idea of a divine judge who would ultimately intervene to right wrongs was a source of great hope for the oppressed and a solemn warning for oppressors. The psalmist, likely writing during a period of political instability or perceived injustice, appeals to God's ultimate authority over earthly rulers and their transient power. The cultural understanding of "cutting off horns" would immediately evoke images of humiliation, emasculation, and the complete stripping away of status and power, while "exalting horns" signified restoration of honor, vindication, and divine empowerment.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 75:10 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader Scripture. Firstly, **Divine Justice and Judgment** is paramount, emphasizing God's active and decisive role as the ultimate arbiter of all humanity. He is not a passive observer but an intervening Judge who will bring all things into account, discerning between the righteous and the wicked, as foreshadowed in verses like [Psalms 9:8](/psalms/9-8 "Psalm 9:8 - God Judges the World in Righteousness"). Secondly, the theme of the **Vindication and Exaltation of the Righteous** offers profound assurance. Despite present struggles, oppression, or apparent disadvantage, those who live in accordance with God's will are promised ultimate honor and elevation, echoing sentiments found in [1 Samuel 2:7-8](/1_samuel/2-7-8 "1 Samuel 2:7-8 - The Lord Raises the Poor from the Dust"). Conversely, the **Humiliation and Downfall of the Wicked** is unequivocally declared. Their perceived strength, pride, and influence will be utterly stripped away, leading to their inevitable downfall, a principle seen throughout the wisdom literature, such as [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"). Finally, the verse powerfully underscores **God's Absolute Sovereignty**. The declaration "All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off" asserts God's supreme authority and power over all earthly rulers, systems, and human endeavors, reinforcing the truth that true power and lasting honor originate solely from Him, as stated in [Psalms 75:7](/psalms/75-7 "Psalms 75:7 - God is the Judge Who Puts Down and Lifts Up").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Horns (Hebrew, _qeren'_):** From 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." In the ancient Near East, the horn was a powerful and pervasive symbol of strength, power, dignity, authority, and often aggressive might. This imagery is drawn from animals like oxen, bulls, and rams, whose horns are their primary means of defense and offense. To possess "horns" meant to have influence, status, and the ability to dominate. In a metaphorical sense, it represented the very essence of one's power and pride.
* **Cut off (Hebrew, _gâdaʻ'_):** From H1438, a primitive root meaning "to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything; cut (asunder, in sunder, down, off), hew down." This verb signifies a decisive and complete severing or destruction. It implies not merely a weakening but a total eradication. When applied to "horns," it denotes the complete removal of power, authority, and pride, leading to public humiliation, impotence, and the utter dismantling of one's perceived strength. It is an act of divine judgment that leaves no remnant of the wicked's former might.
* **Exalted (Hebrew, _rûwm'_):** From H7311, meaning "to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively); bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms." This verb means to be lifted up, raised high, or elevated. When applied to "horns," it signifies the restoration or bestowal of power, honor, dignity, and influence. For the righteous, it represents divine favor, vindication, and an elevation in status that is both public and enduring, contrasting sharply with the downfall of the wicked.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off":** This declarative statement, spoken by God Himself (implied from the first-person pronoun "I" in the KJV, though the Hebrew is impersonal, the context of God's judgment throughout the psalm attributes this action to Him), signifies a comprehensive and absolute act of divine judgment. "All the horns" emphasizes the totality of the wicked's power and pride being targeted. "Cut off" denotes a complete and irreversible dismantling of their strength, authority, and influence. This is God's active intervention to humble the arrogant and disempower those who wield their might for evil.
* **"but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted":** This clause presents a stark and divinely ordained antithesis to the first. While the wicked are brought low, the righteous are elevated. Their "horns" – their inherent dignity, integrity, and God-given strength – will not be diminished but rather amplified and publicly honored by God. This is a promise of vindication, a divine reversal of fortunes where faithfulness is rewarded with elevation and honor, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to upholding justice and His covenant people.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Psalms 75:10 is **Metaphor**. The "horns" are a powerful metaphorical representation of strength, power, authority, and pride. By speaking of "cutting off the horns of the wicked" and "exalting the horns of the righteous," the psalmist uses this concrete image to convey abstract theological truths about divine judgment and vindication. This verse also heavily relies on **Antithesis** (or Contrast). The stark opposition between the fate of the wicked ("cut off") and the righteous ("exalted") highlights the absolute nature of God's justice and the clear distinction He makes between those who defy Him and those who follow Him. This contrast emphasizes the divine reversal of fortunes, where the proud are humbled and the humble are exalted. The declaration, though impersonal in the Hebrew, carries the weight of a divine **Pronouncement** or oracle, reinforcing God's sovereign will and ultimate control over all earthly power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 75:10 stands as a foundational declaration of God's unwavering commitment to cosmic justice. It assures us that despite the apparent prosperity or unchecked power of the wicked in the present age, there is an ultimate reckoning. God, as the supreme Judge, will not allow injustice to prevail indefinitely. This verse resonates deeply with the biblical theme of eschatological reversal, where the last will be first, the humble exalted, and the proud brought low. It underscores the truth that true power and lasting honor do not come from human might or worldly status, but from God alone, who sovereignly determines the rise and fall of individuals and nations. For the righteous, it is a promise of divine vindication and ultimate exaltation, offering hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.

* [1 Samuel 2:7-8](/1_samuel/2-7-8 "Hannah's Prayer: The Lord Makes Poor and Rich")
* [Luke 1:52-53](/luke/1-52-53 "Mary's Song: He Has Brought Down the Mighty")
* [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "The Rider on the White Horse")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This powerful verse offers both a solemn warning and profound encouragement. For those who may feel oppressed, overlooked, or disheartened by the apparent triumph of injustice in the world, it serves as a robust reminder to place their trust in God's perfect timing and His unwavering commitment to righteousness. Even when it seems the wicked prosper and their "horns" are dominant, God declares His ultimate intervention to "cut them off." This should inspire perseverance in righteousness, knowing that faithfulness will not go unnoticed and will ultimately be vindicated by the Divine Judge. Conversely, for those who might be tempted by pride, arrogance, or unrighteous gain, Psalms 75:10 serves as a stark warning. It reminds us that true power and lasting honor come only from God, and those who exalt themselves in wickedness will inevitably be brought low. It calls for humility, integrity, and a recognition that all authority ultimately derives from and is accountable to the Lord of all. Our actions today, whether righteous or wicked, have eternal consequences in the divine economy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or in the world do you currently see the "horns of the wicked" seemingly exalted? How does this verse challenge your perspective on those situations?**
* **How does the promise of God's ultimate vindication of the righteous encourage you to persevere in integrity and faithfulness, even when it's difficult?**
* **What "horns" (sources of pride, power, or self-reliance) might you need to allow God to "cut off" in your own life to truly walk in humility and reliance on Him?**

### FAQ

**What does "horns" truly symbolize in this context, and why is it so significant?**

Answer: In Psalms 75:10, "horns" (Hebrew: *qeren*) are a potent and culturally significant symbol in the ancient Near East. They do not refer to literal horns but metaphorically represent strength, power, dignity, authority, and often aggressive might. This imagery is derived from powerful horned animals like oxen, bulls, and rams, whose horns are their primary means of defense and attack. For humans, it symbolized their influence, status, and ability to dominate or lead. Therefore, "cutting off the horns" signifies the complete removal of power, authority, and pride, leading to public humiliation and impotence, while "exalting the horns" means to be elevated in power, honor, and dignity, signifying divine favor and vindication. The significance lies in its vivid portrayal of God's absolute control over all human power structures and His ultimate ability to humble the proud and elevate the humble, as seen in [1 Samuel 2:7](/1_samuel/2-7 "The Lord Makes Poor and Rich").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 75:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the righteous one whose "horn" was supremely exalted. While He willingly emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and humbling Himself even to death on a cross, as described in [Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience"), God "highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name," a truth powerfully declared in [Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Christ's Exaltation"). This exaltation of Christ's "horn" is not merely a restoration of dignity but the establishment of His universal reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the one to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given, as He Himself proclaimed in [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus"). Furthermore, Christ is the ultimate Judge who will, at His appointed time, "cut off the horns of the wicked." His return will usher in a final judgment where all unrighteousness will be decisively dealt with, and the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, a future event prophesied in [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Seventh Trumpet"). He will come as the righteous Judge, with a sharp sword to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron, utterly dismantling all opposing powers and exalting His righteous kingdom forever, as vividly depicted in [Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - Christ as Judge and King"). Thus, Psalms 75:10 points forward to the comprehensive and final victory of Christ, where His righteous rule is fully established, and all forms of wickedness are eternally subdued.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 89:17

For thou [art] the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.

Psalms 92:10

But my horn shalt thou exalt like [the horn of] an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

Psalms 148:14

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.

Psalms 101:8

I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.

Jeremiah 48:25

The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.

Luke 1:69

And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

1 Samuel 2:1

¶ And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.