TRV
Translation
King James Version
But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
Complete Jewish Bible
But you have given me the strength of a wild bull; you anoint me with fresh olive oil.
Berean Standard Bible
But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; with fine oil I have been anointed.
American Standard Version
But my horn hast thou exalted like the horn of the wild-ox: I am anointed with fresh oil.
World English Bible Messianic
But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox. I am anointed with fresh oil.
Geneva Bible (1599)
But thou shalt exalt mine horne, like the vnicornes, and I shalbe anoynted with fresh oyle.
Young's Literal Translation
And Thou exaltest as a reem my horn, I have been anointed with fresh oil.
In the KJVVerse 15,422 of 31,102
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Commentary on Psalms 92 verses 7–15
7 ¶ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:
8 But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.
9 For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
11 Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.
12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
15 To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
The psalmist had said (Psa 92:4) that from the works of God he would take occasion to triumph; and here he does so.
I. He triumphs over God's enemies (Psa 92:7, Psa 92:9, Psa 92:11), triumphs in the foresight of their destruction, not as it would be the misery of his fellow-creatures, but as it would redound to the honour of God's justice and holiness. He is confident of the ruin of sinners, 1. Though they are flourishing (Psa 92:7): When the wicked spring as the grass in spring (so numerous, so thickly sown, so green, and growing so fast), and all the workers of iniquity do flourish in pomp, and power, and all the instances of outward prosperity, are easy and many, and succeed in their enterprises, one would think that all this was in order to their being happy, that it was a certain evidence of God's favour and an earnest of something as good or better in reserve: but it is quite otherwise; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever. The very prosperity of fools shall slay them, Pro 1:32. The sheep that are designed for the slaughter are put into the fattest pasture. 2. Though they are daring, Psa 92:9. They are thy enemies, and impudently avow themselves to be so. They are contrary to God, and they fight against God. They are in rebellion against his crown and dignity, and therefore it is easy to foresee that they shall perish; for who ever hardened his heart against God and prospered? Note, All the impenitent workers of iniquity shall be deemed and taken as God's enemies, and as such they shall perish and be scattered. Christ reckons those his enemies that will not have him to reign over them; and they shall be brought forth and slain before him. The workers of iniquity are now associated, and closely linked together, in a combination against God and religion; but they shall be scattered, and disabled to help one another against the just judgment of God. In the world to come they shall be separated from the congregation of the righteous; so the Chaldee, Psa 1:5. 3. Though they had a particular malice against the psalmist, and, upon that account, he might be tempted to fear them, yet he triumphs over them (Psa 92:11): "My eye shall see my desire on my enemies that rise up against me; I shall see them not only disabled from doing me any further mischief, but reckoned with for the mischief they have done me, and brought either to repentance or ruin:" and this was his desire concerning them. In the Hebrew it is no more than thus, My eye shall look on my enemies, and my ear shall hear of the wicked. He does not say what he shall see or what he shall hear, but he shall see and hear that in which God will be glorified and in which he will therefore be satisfied. This perhaps has reference to Christ, to his victory over Satan, death, and hell, the destruction of those that persecuted and crucified him, and opposed his gospel, and to the final ruin of the impenitent at the last day. Those that rise up against Christ will fall before him and be made his footstool.
II. He triumphs in God, and his glory and grace. 1. In the glory of God (Psa 92:8): "But thou, O Lord! art most high for evermore. The workers of iniquity who fight against us may be high for a time, and think to carry all before them with a high hand, but thou art high, most high, for evermore. Their height will be humbled and brought down, but thine is everlasting." Let us not therefore fear the pride and power of evil men, nor be discouraged by their impotent menaces, for the moth shall eat them up as a garment, but God's righteousness shall be for ever, Isa 51:7, Isa 51:8. 2. In the grace of God, his favour and the fruits of it, (1.) To himself (Psa 92:10): "Thou, O Lord! that art thyself most high, shalt exalt my horn." The great God is the fountain of honour, and he, being high for evermore, himself will exalt his people for ever, for he is the praise of all his saints, Psa 148:14. The wicked are forbidden to lift up the horn (Psa 75:4, Psa 75:5), but those that serve God and the interest of his kingdom with their honour or power, and commit it to him to keep it, to raise it, to use it, and to dispose of it, as he pleases, may hope that he will exalt their horn as the horn of a unicorn, to the greatest height, either in this world or the other: My horn shalt thou exalt, when thy enemies perish; for then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, when the wicked shall be doomed to shame and everlasting contempt. He adds, I shall be anointed with fresh oil, which denotes a fresh confirmation in his office to which he had been anointed, or abundance of plenty, so that he should have fresh oil as often as he pleased, or renewed comforts to revive him when his spirits drooped. Grace is the anointing of the Spirit; when this is given to help in the time of need, and is received, as there is occasion, from the fulness that is in Christ Jesus, we are then anointed with fresh oil. Some read it, When I grow old thou shalt anoint me with fresh oil. My old age shalt thou exalt with rich mercy; so the Septuagint. Compare Psa 92:14, They shall bring forth fruit in old age. The comforts of God's Spirit, and the joys of his salvation, shall be a refreshing oil to the hoary heads that are found in the way of righteousness. (2.) To all the saints. They are here represented as trees of righteousness, Isa 61:3; Psa 1:3. Observe, [1.] The good place they are fixed in; they are planted in the house of the Lord, Psa 92:13. The trees of righteousness do not grow of themselves; they are planted, not in common soil, but in paradise, in the house of the Lord. Trees are not usually planted in a house; but God's trees are said to be planted in his house because it is from his grace, by his word and Spirit, that they receive all the sap and virtue that keep them alive and make them fruitful. They fix themselves to holy ordinances, take root in them, abide by them, put themselves under the divine protection, and bring forth all their fruits to God's honour and glory. [2.] The good plight they shall be kept in. It is here promised, First, That they shall grow, Psa 92:12. Where God gives true grace he will give more grace. God's trees shall grow higher, like the cedars, the tall cedars in Lebanon; they shall grow nearer heaven, and with a holy ambition shall aspire towards the upper world; they shall grow stronger, like the cedars, and fitter for use. He that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Secondly, That they shall flourish, both in the credit of their profession and in the comfort and joy of their own souls. They shall be cheerful themselves and respected by all about them. They shall flourish like the palm-tree, which has a stately body (Sol 7:7), and large boughs, Lev 23:40; Jdg 4:5. Dates, the fruit of it, are very pleasant, but it is especially alluded to here as being ever green. The wicked flourish as the grass (Psa 92:7), which is soon withered, but the righteous as the palm-tree, which is long-lived and which the winter does not change. It has been said of the palm-tree, Sub pondere crescit - The more it is pressed down the more it grows; so the righteous flourish under their burdens; the more they are afflicted the more they multiply. Being planted in the house of the Lord (there their root is), they flourish in the courts of our God - there their branches spread. Their life is hid with Christ in God. But their light also shines before men. It is desirable that those who have a place should have a name in God's house, and within his walls, Isa 56:5. Let good Christians aim to excel, that they may be eminent and may flourish, and so may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, as flourishing trees adorn the courts of a house. And let those who flourish in God's courts give him the glory of it; it is by virtue of this promise, They shall be fat and flourishing. Their flourishing without is from a fatness within, from the root and fatness of the good olive, Rom 11:17. Without a living principle of grace in the heart the profession will not be long flourishing; but where that is the leaf also shall not wither, Psa 1:3. The trees of the Lord are full of sap, Psa 104:16. See Hos 14:5, Hos 14:6. Thirdly, That they shall be fruitful. Were there nothing but leaves upon them, they would not be trees of any value; but they shall still bring forth fruit. The products of sanctification, all the instances of a lively devotion and a useful conversation, good works, by which God is glorified and others are edified, these are the fruits of righteousness, in which it is the privilege, as well as the duty, of the righteous to abound; and their abounding in them is the matter of a promise as well as of a command. It is promised that they shall bring forth fruit in old age. Other trees, when they are old, leave off bearing, but in God's trees the strength of grace does not fail with the strength of nature. The last days of the saints are sometimes their best days, and their last work is their best work. This indeed shows that they are upright; perseverance is the surest evidence of sincerity. But it is here said to show that the Lord is upright (Psa 92:15), that he is true to his promises and faithful to every word that he has spoken, and that he is constant to the work which he has begun. As it is by the promises that believers first partake of a divine nature, so it is by the promises that that divine nature is preserved and kept up; and therefore the power it exerts is an evidence that the Lord is upright, and so he will show himself with an upright man, Psa 18:25. This the psalmist triumphs in: "He is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in him. I have chosen him for my rock on which to build, in the clefts of which to take shelter, on the top of which to set my feet. I have found him a rock, strong and stedfast, and his word as firm as a rock. I have found" (and let every one speak as he finds) "that there is no unrighteousness in him." He is as able, and will be as kind, as his word makes him to be. All that ever trusted in God found him faithful and all-sufficient, and none were ever made ashamed of their hope in him.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–15. Public domain.
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Basil of CaesareaAD 379
HOMILIES ON THE PSALMS 13:5
Remember the calf in Exodus, which they fashioned through idolatry, which Moses beat to powder and gave to the people to drink. In a manner similar to that calf, he will utterly destroy all Lebanon and the practice of idolatry prevailing in it. “And as the beloved son of unicorns.” The only-begotten Son, he who gives his life for the world whenever he offers himself as a sacrifice and oblation to God for our sins, is called both Lamb of God and a sheep. “Behold,” it is said, “the lamb of God.” And again, “He was led like a sheep to slaughter.” But, when it is necessary to take vengeance and to overthrow the power attacking the human race, a certain wild and savage force, then he will be called the Son of unicorns. For, as we have learned in Job, the unicorn is a creature irresistible in might and unsubjected to human beings. “For you cannot bind him with a thong,” he says, “nor will he stay at your crib.” There is also much said in that part of the prophecy about the animal acting like a free person and not submitting to humans. It has been observed that the Scripture has used the comparison of the unicorn in both ways, at one time in praise, at another in censure. “Deliver,” he says, “my soul from the sword … and my lowness from the horns of the unicorns.” He said these words complaining of the warlike people who in the time of passion rose up in rebellion against him. Again, he says, “My horn shall be exalted like that of the unicorn.” It seems that on account of the promptness of the animal in repelling attacks it is frequently found representing the baser things, and because of its high horn and freedom it is assigned to represent the better. On the whole, since it is possible to find the “horn” used by Scripture in many places instead of “glory,” as the saying, “He will exalt the horn of his people,” and “His horn shall be exalted in glory,” or also, since the “horn” is frequently used instead of “power,” as the saying, “My protector and the horn of my salvation,” Christ is the power of God; therefore, he is called the Unicorn on the ground that he has one horn, that is, one common power with the Father.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 92
..."But mine horn shall be exalted like the horn of an unicorn" [Psalm 92:10]. Why did He say, "like the horn of an unicorn"? Sometimes an unicorn signifies pride, sometimes it means the lifting up of unity; because unity is lifted up, all heresies shall perish with the enemies of God. And "mine horn shall be exalted like an unicorn." When will it be so? "And mine old age shall be in the fatness of mercy." Why did he say, "my old age"? He means, my last days; as our old age is the last season in our lives, so the whole of what the body of Christ at present suffers in labours, in cares, in watchings, in hunger, in thirst, in stumbling-blocks, in wickednesses, in tribulations, is its youth: its old age, that is, its last days, will be in joy. And beware, beloved, that you think not death meant also, in that he has spoken of old age: for man grows old in the flesh for this reason, that he may die. The old age of the Church will be white with good works, but it shall not decay through death. What the head of the old man is, that our works will be. You see how the head grows old, and whitens, as fast as old age approaches. Thou sometimes dost seek in the head of one who grows old duly in his own course a black hair, yet you find it not: thus when our life shall have been such, that the blackness of sins may be sought, and none found, that old age is youthful, is green, and ever will be green. You have heard of the grass of sinners, hear ye of the old age of the righteous: "My old age shall be in the fathers of mercy."
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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SUMMARY
Psalms 92:10 is a vibrant declaration of the psalmist's profound trust in God's active and sustaining power, promising both divine elevation and continuous spiritual refreshment. Situated within a Sabbath psalm that extols God's righteousness and faithfulness, this verse transitions from general adoration of the Creator's majestic works to a deeply personal assurance of enduring strength, honor, and a perpetually renewed anointing, signifying an ongoing outpouring of grace, vitality, and divine favor for the righteous.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 92:10 is exceptionally rich in Imagery and employs several powerful Literary Devices to convey its profound message. The primary device is Metaphor, particularly in the phrase "my horn shalt thou exalt," where the "horn" serves as a deeply ingrained biblical symbol for strength, power, dignity, and authority, representing the psalmist's entire being and his standing before God and others. This metaphor is powerfully amplified by a Simile: "like [the horn of] an unicorn" (more accurately, a wild ox or aurochs), which compares the divinely imparted strength to the formidable, untamed, and unparalleled power of this mighty creature, emphasizing its exceptional nature. The act of "anointing with fresh oil" is also profoundly Symbolic, representing spiritual consecration, divine favor, joy, and the refreshing, empowering presence of God's Spirit. The specific adjective "fresh" adds a layer of symbolism, highlighting the continuous, dynamic, and revitalizing nature of God's blessing, ensuring ongoing spiritual vitality and preventing stagnation. Together, these devices paint a vivid and compelling picture of God's active, empowering, and life-giving work in the life of the righteous.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 92:10 powerfully articulates the foundational biblical truth that true strength, enduring vitality, and genuine honor are sourced in God alone. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to vindicate, elevate, and empower His faithful servants, demonstrating His perfect justice and His unwavering care for the righteous. The exaltation of the "horn" speaks to God's active and sovereign role in bestowing dignity, authority, and victory upon those who trust in Him, often in stark contrast to the world's fleeting and superficial power structures. Furthermore, the "fresh oil" signifies the continuous, dynamic, and invigorating work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life, providing perpetual refreshment, joy, and enablement for living righteously and serving effectively. This verse assures believers that God's grace is not a one-time event or a finite resource, but rather a perpetual wellspring of spiritual nourishment, ensuring that His people remain vibrant, fruitful, and resilient in their faith journey.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 92:10 offers profound encouragement and a vital spiritual principle for believers in every generation. In a world that often seeks strength, validation, and renewal from external sources, fleeting achievements, or self-reliance, this verse powerfully redirects our gaze to God as the ultimate and sole source of true power, dignity, and spiritual refreshment. It serves as a potent reminder that our spiritual vitality and capacity to overcome challenges are not dependent on our own finite efforts but on God's continuous, gracious outpouring of His Spirit. When we feel weak, discouraged, spiritually dry, or overwhelmed by life's pressures, we can confidently anticipate that the Lord will "exalt our horn," granting us inner fortitude, resilience, and a renewed sense of divine purpose. The promise of being "anointed with fresh oil" assures us that God's Spirit is ever-present, ready to refresh, empower, and fill us with joy, enabling us to flourish and bear fruit for His kingdom, even amidst life's most demanding circumstances. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of humble dependence on God, trusting in His ongoing work of empowerment and spiritual refreshment, knowing that His grace is always sufficient and always new.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the KJV's "unicorn" translation in Psalms 92:10?
Answer: The King James Version's translation of "unicorn" for the Hebrew word re'em (רְאֵם) is a notable point of linguistic evolution and interpretation. In ancient times, the re'em was understood to be a powerful, wild bovine, most likely the aurochs (Bos primigenius), an extinct species of large wild cattle known for its immense strength, formidable horns (though typically two, not one), and untamable nature. The translators of the KJV, working with the knowledge available at the time and perhaps influenced by the Septuagint's rendering (monokeros, "one-horned"), likely chose "unicorn" to convey the idea of a uniquely powerful, perhaps even singularly dominant, horned creature, emphasizing unparalleled strength and formidable might. Modern translations typically render re'em more accurately as "wild ox," "wild bull," or "rhinoceros," reflecting a more precise understanding of the animal's known characteristics. Regardless of the specific animal, the core message remains consistent: God grants the psalmist formidable, unmatched strength, akin to the raw power of this mighty beast, underscoring divine empowerment and exaltation (see also Numbers 23:22).
How does being "anointed with fresh oil" apply to believers today?
Answer: For believers today, being "anointed with fresh oil" is a profound and beautiful metaphor for the continuous, invigorating, and empowering work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In the Old Testament, anointing oil symbolized consecration, divine appointment, and the impartation of God's Spirit for specific tasks, as seen in the anointing of kings like David in 1 Samuel 16:13. In the New Covenant, all believers are wonderfully indwelt by the Holy Spirit from the moment of faith (Romans 8:9), and this "fresh oil" speaks to a renewed outpouring of His presence, power, and joy in our daily experience. It signifies ongoing spiritual vitality, refreshment, and empowerment for daily living, for effective service, and for overcoming life's challenges. It assures us that God's grace is not static or a one-time allocation but is dynamic and continuously available, providing perpetual spiritual nourishment and enabling us to bear abundant fruit for His kingdom, preventing spiritual dryness and fostering a vibrant, living faith (compare with Jesus' words about rivers of living water in John 7:38).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 92:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "horn" exalted by God, the One to whom all power and authority in heaven and on earth have been given (Matthew 28:18). His glorious resurrection from the dead and His triumphant ascension to the right hand of the Father represent the supreme exaltation of His "horn," demonstrating His unparalleled strength and decisive victory over sin, death, and the grave (Philippians 2:9-11). Furthermore, Jesus is the "Anointed One" par excellence, the Messiah, upon whom the Spirit descended without measure (John 3:34). He was perfectly anointed by the Holy Spirit for His earthly ministry of preaching good news to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, and setting the captives free, as prophetically declared in Isaiah 61:1, a passage He Himself quoted as fulfilled in Luke 4:18-19. Through His finished work on the cross and His subsequent glorification, Christ pours out the "fresh oil" of the Holy Spirit upon His church, providing continuous spiritual refreshment, divine empowerment, and overflowing joy to all who believe, enabling them to live vibrant, fruitful lives in intimate union with Him (Acts 2:33). Thus, the psalmist's personal declaration becomes a prophetic anticipation of the universal and eternal anointing and exaltation found in Christ, which is now extended to all who are in Him.