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

PSALMS 92:10KJV
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Psalms 92:10 (KJV)

What does Psalms 92:10 mean?

Psalms 92:10 describes how God lifts up the psalmist’s strength and honor, comparing it to the horn of a powerful animal called an “unicorn” (likely a wild ox), and says the psalmist is refreshed and set apart by being anointed with new oil. This verse expresses a sense of renewed strength and special favor from God.

The psalm is written as a song for the Sabbath, with the writer speaking directly to God about personal experience. The “horn” is a symbol of strength or dignity in ancient Israel, and being anointed with fresh oil was a sign of blessing, joy, or being chosen for a special purpose. The verse uses vivid images to show how God’s care brings new energy and honor to the faithful.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 92:10

  • horn (קֶרֶן, qeren): This word means the horn of an animal and often stands for strength, power, or status. In this verse, it highlights the psalmist’s renewed strength or honor given by God.
  • exalt (רוּם, rum): This verb means to lift up or make high. Here, it shows that God is the one who raises the psalmist’s status or strength.
  • unicorn (רְאֵם, re’em): This animal is not the mythical unicorn but is often understood as a wild ox, a symbol of great power and majesty in the ancient world.
  • anointed (בָּלַל, balal): This word means to be smeared or covered, especially with oil. In this context, it points to being set apart or refreshed by God.
  • fresh (רַעֲנָן, ra‘anan): This word means new or fresh, emphasizing the sense of renewal and vitality.
  • oil (שֶׁמֶן, shemen): Oil was used for anointing, a sign of blessing, joy, or being chosen. Fresh oil suggests a new outpouring of God’s favor.

Why Psalms 92:10 matters

  • The verse clears up that “unicorn” in the King James Version refers to a wild ox, not the mythical creature, which helps avoid confusion about the image being used.
  • It emphasizes that strength and honor come from God, not from the psalmist’s own efforts, which fits the overall theme of the psalm about God’s faithfulness.
  • The mention of fresh oil ties this verse to the wider biblical practice of anointing as a sign of God’s blessing, showing that the psalmist feels renewed and specially cared for by God.

Where else these words appear

“unicorn” Hebrew H7214 · used in 9 verses

  • Numbers 23:22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
  • Deuteronomy 33:17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.
  • Psalms 22:21 Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

“fresh” Hebrew H7488 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 12:2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:
  • Psalms 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
  • Jeremiah 3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

“anointed” Hebrew H1101 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
  • Numbers 7:13 And his offering was one silver charger, the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
  • Numbers 15:6 Or for a ram, thou shalt prepare for a meat offering two tenth deals of flour mingled with the third part of an hin of oil.

“horn” Hebrew H7161 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
  • 1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
  • Jeremiah 48:25 The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.