Texts in Conversation
Psalm 89 uses the horn of strength known from Anat's battles in the Ugaritic text KTU 1.10 to describe a king's power, making royal success depend on God's favor.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
KTU 1.10 II:22
Cuneiform Texts from Ugarit
Ancient Near East
He has taken his bow in his hand, and his arrows in his right hand. Then he set his face toward Ah-Shamak, full of wild oxen.” The Maiden Anat lifts her wing, she lifts her wing and soars in flight toward Ah-Shamak, full of wild oxen. And Mighty Baal lifts his eyes, he lifts his eyes and sees, he sees the Maiden Anat, the loveliest among the sisters of Baal. Before her he […] and stands, at her feet he bows and falls down. And he lifts his voice and cries: “Live, sister, and long life to us. The horns of your strength, Maiden Anat, the horns of your strength Baal will anoint, Baal will anoint them in flight. We will thrust my enemies into the earth, and into the dust those who rise against your brother.”
Psalm 89:17
Hebrew Bible
13 Your arm is powerful, your hand strong, your right hand victorious. 14 Equity and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loyal love and faithfulness characterize your rule. 15 How blessed are the people who worship you! O Lord, they experience your favor. 16 They rejoice in your name all day long, and are vindicated by your justice. 17 For you give them splendor and strength. By your favor we are victorious. 18 For our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel. 19 Then you spoke through a vision to your faithful followers and said: “I have placed a young hero over a warrior; I have raised up a young man from the people. 20 I have discovered David, my servant. With my holy oil I have anointed him as king. 21 My hand will support him, and my arm will strengthen him.
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Notes and References
“... To judge from the comparable phrasing in Deut 33:17, the image denotes power
in warfare in Num 23:22 and 24:8, more specifically El’s victory over the Egyp-
tians in warfare. Victory over enemies also seems to be the force of Anat’s
anointed horns (KTU 1.10 II 21–24, in UNP 183) noted above (for oil in con-
nection with horns, see Ps 92:10). Note also that Baal and Mot “gore each
other like wild oxen” (KTU 1.6 VI 17–18, in UNP 162). For horns for victory, see
also 1 Kgs 22:11//2 Chr 18:10; Mic 4:13; Ps 89:17, 24; for the horns of the enemy
in signaling defeat, see Ps 22:21. ...”
Smith, Mark S.
Where the Gods Are: Spatial Dimensions of Anthropomorphism in the Biblical World
(p. 150) Yale University Press, 2016
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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