Psalms 75:10
All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
Original Language Analysis
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
קַֽרְנ֥וֹת
All the horns
H7161
קַֽרְנ֥וֹת
All the horns
Strong's:
H7161
Word #:
2 of 7
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 moun
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
of the wicked
H7563
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
of the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
3 of 7
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
אֲגַדֵּ֑עַ
also will I cut off
H1438
אֲגַדֵּ֑עַ
also will I cut off
Strong's:
H1438
Word #:
4 of 7
to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything
תְּ֝רוֹמַ֗מְנָה
shall be exalted
H7311
תְּ֝רוֹמַ֗מְנָה
shall be exalted
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
5 of 7
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Psalms 92:10But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.Psalms 89:17For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.Psalms 148:14He 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 101:8I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.Jeremiah 48:25The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.Luke 1:69And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;1 Samuel 2:1And 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.
Historical Context
The horn symbolizes power throughout Scripture (1 Samuel 2:1,10, Zechariah 1:18-21, Luke 1:69). Hannah's prayer celebrates: "The LORD...will exalt the horn of his anointed" (1 Samuel 2:10)—fulfilled in David and ultimately Christ. Mary's Magnificat echoes this: God "has scattered the proud...exalted the lowly" (Luke 1:51-52). Philippians 2:9-11 describes Christ's exaltation after humiliation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise that God will "cut off" wicked power provide comfort when evil seems triumphant?
- What does it mean that the "horns of the righteous shall be exalted"—how does humility lead to exaltation?
- How did Christ's path from cross to crown (Philippians 2:8-11) exemplify this principle of humiliation before exaltation?
Analysis & Commentary
God declares: "All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted" (Hebrew v-khol-qar-ney r-shaim agaddea qar-not tzaddiq t-romamnah). Violent imagery: God will "cut off" (destroy) the wicked's power ("horns") while "exalting" the righteous. The verse promises complete reversal—prideful power humbled, humble righteousness elevated. This is eschatological justice: final vindication of the righteous, final judgment of the wicked. God's justice is both retributive and restorative.