Horn of My Salvation
Hebrew: qeren (keh'-ren)

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." - Psalms 18:2

I was a child in the 1950s and grew up win TV was black and white and carried good old stories and adventures like Rin Tin Tin. Rin Tin Tin, was an ABC television series that ran from 1954 to 1959. The premise of Rin-Tin-Tin was that he and his young boy, Rusty, were the only survivors of a Indian raid on a wagon train and were taken in by the 101st Cavalry, B Company, based at Fort Apache, who commissioned Rusty a corporal and Rinty (Rin Tin Tin) a private. They stuck together for 164 prime-time episodes before the series, sponsored by the National Biscuit Company, ended in 1959. The highlight of each show was at the moment of crisis and despair you would hear the bugle call of the cavalry and Rinty running full tilt to the rescue.

Commentators disagree as to the meaning of "horn" in some of David's often used expressions. Some think his is referring to the strength of male virility. Others think he was just referring to the mighty strength of an ox or unicorn with its horn representing its strength. Still others think that it may be referring to the horn, the shofar that was used to summon to battle and to call people to sacred services. In that sense it was the bugle call. It represented fear of defeat in the ears of the enemy. That loud, long blast on the shofar was to the enemy a death knoll of defeat.

The Lord will send help from his holy hill. He is the horn of your salvation. In the story The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, Lucy is given a little horn by Father Christmas and told, "When you put this horn to your lips; and blow it, then, wherever you are, I think help of some kind will come to you." So, throughout the story when their backs were up against a wall, when all seemed lost, when all strength and their resources were spent, they remembered the horn. As soon as it was blown help was on the way. It didn't usually arrive immediately, but always just in the nick of time. It is good for us to remember that God is never late, but then He never is early either. It is the trying of our faith that works patience.

In Israel there was a horn used as a battle cry and a warning that called the troupes together at the time of immanent attack. It was called the shofar, the huge ram's horn that priests were trained to blow to send the signal for the army to gather and defend the city.

We have a "shofar." It is the name of JESUS. God has promised, "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." That word "saved" means to be delivered from the hand of the enemy. You have a "Horn of Salvation" it is the name of Jesus our rescuer and friend. Call on him. He will answer.

"Send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion;" - Psalms 20:2

"I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah." - Psalms 3:4

• 2 Samuel 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
• Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
• Luke 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

Questions for Discussion:

1. Have you ever had to call 911? Tell about that experience. What were your emotions? How grave was the danger?
2. Has anyone ever called you for help or have you heard a drowning man or a person in grave peril calling to you for help? Did you help?
3. Another great Bible study is of the words "cry out" to God. Look up those words or expressions and discuss how and when it is to be done.

Sound the battle cry! See, the foe is nigh;
Raise the standard high for the Lord;
Gird your armor on, stand firm every one;
Rest your cause upon His holy Word.

Refrain

Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner,
Ready, steady, pass the word along;
Onward, forward, shout aloud Hosanna!
Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.

Strong to meet the foe, marching on we go,
While our cause we know, must prevail;
Shield and banner bright, gleaming in the light,
Battling for the right we ne’er can fail.