Bible Strands
Psalms 132:17
There I will make a horn grow for David; I have prepared a lamp for My anointed one.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Yahweh speaks directly to Israel, promising to establish a lasting dynasty in Zion immediately after describing the priestly and communal blessings of the city.
The words — The text uses קֶ֣רֶן (keren) for "horn" and נֵ֝֗ר (ner) for "lamp," paired with the verbs אַצְמִ֣יחַ ('atzmiach) meaning "I will make grow" and עָרַ֥כְתִּי ('arakhti) meaning "I have set in order." These terms literally describe a rising power and a prepared light, not yet metaphorically expanded.
The thread — The horn imagery reappears in Luke 1:69 as a "horn of salvation" raised in David’s house, in Ezekiel 29:21 where Yahweh causes a horn to sprout for Israel, and 2 Chronicles 21:7 records Yahwe’s refusal to destroy David’s house because of His covenant.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to acknowledge that the rise and preservation of David’s line depends entirely on Yahweh’s unilateral action, not on human merit or political stability.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
Cross-references
- Luke 1:69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
- Ezekiel 29:21 In that day I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth to speak among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”
- 2 Chronicles 21:7 Yet the LORD was unwilling to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant He had made with David, and since He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.
- 1 Kings 11:36 I will give one tribe to his son, so that My servant David will always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put My Name.
- 1 Kings 15:4 Nevertheless, for the sake of David, the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and to make Jerusalem strong.
- Psalms 92:10 But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; with fine oil I have been anointed.
- 2 Kings 8:19 Yet for the sake of His servant David, the LORD was unwilling to destroy Judah, since He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.
- Psalms 148:14 He has raised up a horn for His people, the praise of all His saints, of Israel, a people near to Him. Hallelujah!
- Luke 2:30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,