(5) Lift not up your horn.--The "horn" is a symbol of honour (Psalm 112:9); of strength (Micah 4:13; Deuteronomy 33:17). The figure is taken from horned animals. (See 1Samuel 2:1; 1Samuel 2:10.)

With a stiff neck.--Better, with the neck proudly or wantonly raised.

Verse 5. - Lift not up your horn on high; speak not with a stiff neck. The phrase, "a stiff neck," common in the Pentateuch (Exodus 32:9; Exodus 33:3, 5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 9:6, 13; Deuteronomy 10:16; Deuteronomy 31:27), is rare elsewhere. It expresses pride, arrogance, and obstinacy.

75:1-5 We often pray for mercy, when in pursuit of it; and shall we only once or twice give thanks, when we obtain it? God shows that he is nigh to us in what we call upon him for. Public trusts are to be managed uprightly. This may well be applied to Christ and his government. Man's sin threatened to destroy the whole creation; but Christ saved the world from utter ruin. He who is made of God to us wisdom, bids us be wise. To the proud, daring sinners he says, Boast not of your power, persist not in contempt. All the present hopes and future happiness of the human race spring from the Son of God.Lift not up your horn on high,.... Or "against the most High" (q); as the little horn, or the beast with ten horns, antichrist, does, whose look is more stout than his fellows, and opens his mouth in blasphemy against God, his name, his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven, Daniel 7:8,

speak not with a stiff neck; arrogantly, proudly, and haughtily: or "hard things with a neck" (r); hard speeches against Christ and his people with an outstretched neck, in an imperious and insolent manner; for the righteous Judge will convince such of their hard speeches, and condemn them for them; Jde 1:14.

(q) "contra excelsum", Junius & Tremellius. (r) "collo durum", Michaelis.