In Psalm 148:14, we find reference to God raising up for His people a horn, an image which to modern eyes probably conveys very little. In the Bible, however, the ‘horn’ features frequently in different guises, all of which point us to Jesus Christ (‘the horn of salvation’ raised up for us, according to Zechariah in Luke 1:69).
Obviously, in its most literal interpretation, a horn is a protrusion on certain animals such as bulls (Deut 33:17). The horn can be used by the animal in attack, defence and to secure dominance (think of the rhino’s ‘bodger on the bonce’, for example, to quote Flanders and Swann), and as such the word became synonymous metaphorically with strength, power and domination. (1 Sam 2:10, Ps 75:10) Kings were often described as having ‘horns’ (see Dan 7:7, 24) and when God’s power is displayed to defeat enemies, this is described as a ‘horn’ being cut off (see Jer 48:25).
Other uses of the word ‘horn’ in the Old Testament include the use of horns as trumpets (most notably in the fall of Jericho – see Josh 6:4-5) and as receptacles for holding the anointing oil (1 Sam 16:1,3; 1 Kings 1:39). Other Old Testament usages of the word refer to the protrusion at each corner of the altar (Exodus 27:2). In worship, the horns of the altar were dabbed with blood to purify them and make atonement for sin (Leviticus 8:15; Lev 4:6) and these were sometimes clung on to by those accused of crimes (see 1 Kings 1:50, 1 Kings 2:28).
Ultimately, Ps 148, Ps 18:2 and Luke 1:69 reminds us that God’s strength and power are total and are seen in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. “The salvation Jesus offers is strong, triumphant, and powerful. Just like the horns on the altar offered refuge and atonement, Jesus offers clemency and cleansing through His death on the cross. However strong our spiritual foe, the horn of our salvation is stronger still.”[1] We can be confident in God’s ultimate power and dominion; we can rest in the horn of His strength.
[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/horn-of-salvation.html