“I love You, O LORD, my strength.” The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:1–2)

God is sufficient in every circumstance. David learned this through many trials and struggles—this is part of his legacy left for the dynasty that began with him. His grandson’s great-grandson (i.e. fifth-generation king of Judah), Jehoshaphat, was reminded of this truth about God when faced with overwhelming invaders. The prophet Jahaziel told him, “You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf … Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you” (2 Chron 20:17). Indeed, Jehoshaphat would have had access to David’s psalms—for example, “Salvation belongs to the LORD” (Ps 3:8)—and to Solomon’s wisdom: “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD” (Pr 21:31).

Psalm 18, the litany of epithets with which David describes the Lord, rehearses all he has learned through life experiences, and brings him to praise and worship. In particular, he calls on the Lord who is the “horn of my salvation.” Scholars debate the meaning of this, with three possible interpretations. Possibly David sees God protecting him like a bull with horns or equipping David with the weaponry that will be likened to the effectiveness of a bull’s horns in a physical battle. Or, he could be referring to the horns of the altar that provide asylum in times of extreme danger (see 1 Kings 1:50, 2:28). Finally, some think this refers to a hill shaped like a horn, being the high ground from which an army makes its stand and can bring about its salvation from enemy oppressors (see Expositor’s Bible Commentary). In effect, the natural understanding of this metaphor seems simply to refer to God’s incisive and powerful involvement in procuring the salvation of Israel in battle.

We are instructed regarding OT stories, “These things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Cor 10:11). We learn from David’s experience that God can be our horn as well. The horn of our salvation penetrated the gates of hell (Matt 16:18), marched into enemy territory (the world) and saved you and me. Like a bull destroying a roaring lion (1 Pet 5:8), He destroys the work of Satan in our lives. We can run to Him, pleading the blood of Christ, as it were, on the horns of the altar. Yes, He is the “horn of my salvation.”

Lord, You are the Horn of my salvation. Thank You for saving and keeping me.