Psalms 148:14

The horn speaks of exaltation and power. Zacharias, anticipating the birth of Christ, speaks of Him as "a horn of salvation" (Luke 1:69; see also Ps. 18:2; Ps. 75:10; Ps. 148:14).

Psalm 148 calls first on heaven, and all in it, to take their part in the great Hallelujah, and to praise Jehovah who created them and keeps them in their place. Then it calls on the earth, with all in it, to join in praising Him. His name alone is excellent, and His glory is above the earth and heaven. Yet He exalts the horn of His people, and the praise of His saints — a people near to Him. The great Creator whom heaven and earth must praise is the God of Israel, and Israel His people.

Everyone who was once exalted is brought down to nothing, so that the Lord alone is exalted. He is worthy of the fullest praise of all creation. This chapter has stressed His glory in the heaven and then in the earth, since that glory is seen "above the earth and heaven." This is prophetic of the millennium. Joined to this praise is the lifting up of "the horn of His people." The horn speaks of power now given to His saints, and especially to the children of Israel, "a people near to Him." Can any place be more precious than this?

The closing verse holds a phrase of special and touching interest. The children of Israel are called "a people near to Him." They were always near, in His covenant purpose, to His gracious affection; He had loved them with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3). Once He brought them near (Ex. 19:4). Jehovah carried them on eagles' wings and brought them to Himself. But it was to receive a covenant that soon put them at a hopeless distance. From that far distance He brought them near again. And now He who is the living covenant of grace and truth, the one mediator of blessing between God and man, has joined the people to their God for ever. In that nearness they will glory, with praise that will never end.

In His holiness Jehovah resented the sins of the people of Israel in Balaam's day — "a people near to Him" (Ps. 148:14). Just as surely, the Holy God resented the sins of the believers at Corinth. They were a people nearer still to Him, blessed more richly than Israel ever imagined. Chastisement followed in both cases.

All creation is called to praise God, but with one more word added — He exalts the horn of His people. It is more than deliverance and mercy. He exalts them within creation as the people of His favour on earth. He is the praise of His saints, a people near Him. That is a blessed thought. But how far more blessed for us, who will be near Himself, unveiled in His house and in His presence! Israel is near the Creator, as His people on the earth; we are near God our Father in heaven, like the Lord Jesus, His only Son.