The Bible sometimes uses the word “horn” in a way that is strange to the English speaking ear, making its meaning uncertain.  Here is an example from the book of Psalms.

Psa 75:4  “I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully,’ And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn.

Clearly, the word horn is being used figuratively here, but what is its exact meaning?

King or kingdom

In nature, the horn or horns of an animal are primarily used for fighting and are a symbol of strength.  Daniel 8 uses this in the vision of the ram and the goat, where a goat with one horn attacks and tramples a ram with two horns.  In this instance, the Bible clearly explains that a horn represents a king or kingdom.

Dan 8:21  And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king.
Dan 8:22  As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power.

Similar imagery is found in Revelation 17 regarding a beast with seven heads and ten horns, where the Bible clearly explains that the horns represent kings.

Rev 17:3  So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Rev 17:12  “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.

Strength or power

Using the horn as a symbol of strength, the Bible also uses it as a metaphor of strength and power.  Here are a few examples where the Bible clearly explains that a horn can represent strength.

1Sa 2:10  The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed.”

Psa 18:2  The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psa 89:17  For You are the glory of their strength, And in Your favor our horn is exalted.

Honour, prestige, or status

Still using the horn as a symbol of strength, the Bible also uses it as a metaphor of exaltation, that is, honour, prestige or status.  Here are a few examples of this.

1Ch 25:5  All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer in the words of God, to exalt his horn. For God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

1Sa 2:1  And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation.

Returning to the example at the start, “Do no lift up the horn”, means do not boast in your own strength or status.  In other words do not think more highly of yourself than you should.

Conclusion

Depending on the context, when the word horn is used figuratively, it can mean:

• king or kingdom,
• strength or power,
• honour, prestige, or status.