Psalms 69:31

31 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull, Which has horns and hooves.

Psalms 69:31 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 69:31

[This] also shall please the Lord
That is, this song of praise and thanksgiving. The Targum has it,

``my prayers;''

as if it retorted to ( Psalms 69:29 ) ; but what is expressed in ( Psalms 69:30 ) seems to be the proper antecedent to this, and which is a sacrifice; see ( Psalms 50:14 ) ( Hebrews 13:15 ) ; and more acceptable to God than any of the legal sacrifices, even when they were in force; and much more, now they are abrogated; and especially as offered up by the Messiah himself, all whose offerings are well pleasing to God; particularly the offering up of himself, which was for a sweet smelling savour to him, and in virtue of which all spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise become acceptable unto God;

better than an ox [or] bullock that hath horns and hoofs;
that is, than the best of legal sacrifices; as an ox or bullock was, whose horns and hoofs were grown; one of three years old, as Jarchi and Kimchi observe: the words may be literally rendered, "than an ox, than a bullock, than horns, than hoofs"; not only better than an ox or a bullock, but than any creature that has horns and hoofs; that is, than the lawful sacrifice of any animal whatever, as Junius renders and explains it.

Psalms 69:31 In-Context

29 But I am poor and sorrowful; Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high.
30 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
31 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull, Which has horns and hooves.
32 The humble shall see this and be glad; And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.
33 For the Lord hears the poor, And does not despise His prisoners.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.