And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoices in the LORD, my horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth boasts over my enemies; because I rejoice in your salvation.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Rejoiced. Septuagint and Chaldean, "been strengthened. "Anna composed this canticle at the nativity of her son; or rather at his presentation in the tabernacle. She foretells the reign and glory of the Messias, and of his church. (St. Augustine, de C. xvii. 4.)
Horn. The horn in the Scripture signifies strength, power, and glory: so the horn is said to be exalted, when a person receives an increase of strength or glory. (Challoner)
So Horace (3 Ode, 21.) says, addis cornua pauperi.
Enlarged. Chaldean, "I have opened my mouth, to speak great things against my enemies. "She has Phenenna principally in view, and compares her present glory with her former distress. (Calmet)
I may boast more on account of Samuel, than my rival can of her numerous offspring. (Menochius)
What is the meaning of “my horn”? Scripture frequently employs this phrase, remember, as when it says, “His horn was exalted” and “The horn of his anointed was exalted.” So what on earth does “horn” mean? Force, glory, prominence, using a metaphor from the brute beasts: God implanted in them only the horn by way of glory and weaponry, and if they lose it, they lose most of their force; and like a soldier without weapons a bull without horns is also easily disposed of. So by this the woman means nothing other than this, my glory is exalted. How is it exalted? “In my God,” she says. Hence the exaltation is also secure, having a firm and permanent root: while glory from human beings corresponds to the baseness of those glorifying, and so is very liable to disappear, God’s glory is not like that, remaining forever permanent. - "Homilies on Hannah 4"
My horn: The horn in the scriptures signifies strength, power, the horn is said to be exalted, when a person receives an increase of strength or glory.
