Psalms 69:31
This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Vows of praise appear throughout lament psalms (Psalm 7:17, 9:1-2, 13:6, 22:22-25, 35:18, 43:4, 56:12, 71:22-24). They reflect covenant relationship: God commits to deliver His people; His people commit to praise Him when He does. This isn't bargaining but confidence—the righteous can vow future praise because God's faithfulness guarantees future deliverance.
Public praise served crucial communal function in Israel's worship. Individual testimonies built corporate faith. When one person publicly declared God's faithfulness in delivering them, it strengthened others' faith to trust God in their troubles. This pattern continues in Christian testimony and worship.
The language of magnifying God with song and thanksgiving pervades Psalms (Psalm 34:3, 40:16, 70:4, 138:2, 145:1-3) and shaped Christian hymnody. The Church's great hymns of praise follow this pattern: acknowledging need, celebrating deliverance, magnifying God's character, and calling others to join the praise.
Questions for Reflection
- How does vowing to praise God even before deliverance comes demonstrate and strengthen faith?
- What role does public testimony of God's faithfulness play in building corporate faith in the church?
- How does praising God's 'name' (His revealed character) differ from merely thanking Him for blessings?
Analysis & Commentary
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. Having moved through lament and imprecation, David transitions to vow of praise—a common lament psalm conclusion. "I will praise" (אֲהַלְלָה/ahallela) is future tense, expressing confident expectation that God will deliver, warranting future worship. "The name of God" (שֵׁם־אֱלֹהִים/shem-elohim) invokes not merely the divine title but God's revealed character, reputation, and covenant faithfulness manifest in deliverance.
"With a song" (בְּשִׁיר/veshir) indicates public, communal worship through singing—not merely private gratitude but corporate testimony to God's faithfulness. "Magnify him" (אֲגַדְּלֶנּוּ/agaddelenu) means to make great, declare great, exalt—not that God needs magnification (He's already great) but that David will publicly proclaim God's greatness so others recognize it. Mary's Magnificat echoes this: "My soul doth magnify the Lord" (Luke 1:46).
"With thanksgiving" (בְתוֹדָה/vetodah) comes from yadah (to acknowledge, confess, give thanks). It's public acknowledgment of God as source of deliverance. This anticipates Christian worship where thanksgiving pervades prayer and praise (Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:18).