“As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.” (Psalm 75:9-10 NIV)
According to my cultural backgrounds study bible, horns were associated with bulls, symbolizing strength, often with connotations of military victory. God cutting off the horns of the wicked would include military amputation. When strength is removed, said nation is weakened and the righteous rise up to replace them.
Additionally, this text brings to mind ancient altars. The altar of burnt offering first stood outside the Tabernacle and then in the Temple Courtyard. It’s bronze-fitted corners featured horns (Exodus 27:2) as did the altar of incense (Exodus 30:2). Our guide in Israel reminded us – the horns of God’s altar provided a place of refuge for God’s people. The accused could grab hold of the horns and find asylum.
I also recall the altar in Tel-Dan. It was an illegitimate altar, an altar to a foreign god. And yet, it had horns for the accused to cling to. Those horns provided no refuge; only the illusion of safekeeping, none of the muscle necessary for actual rescue. That altar had no right to stand in Israel, it never should have existed in the Promised Land. It’s presence was an abomination, a standing stone and metal insult to the living God. Yet there it sits, thousands of years later.
God’s word reminds us: He will one day break off the horns of every false altar, expose and decry every lesser idol. We do well to identify and destroy our false gods now, under our own volition, rather than cling to the effigies that will surely fail us in the end.
“Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshipped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:14 NIV)
Lord, we acknowledge our tendency to cling to false gods. Help us to identify and dispose of them. Give us courage to cling to You alone. We know You will cut off the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will always provide refuge for those who trust in You. Amen.