Psalms 69:30

The psalmist here, both as a type of Christ and as an example to Christians, concludes a psalm with holy joy and praise which he began with complaints and remonstrances of his griefs.

I. He resolves to praise God himself, not doubting but that therein he should be accepted of him (Psa 69:30, Psa 69:31): "I will praise the name of God, not only with my heart, but with my song, and magnify him with thanksgiving;" for he is pleased to reckon himself magnified by the thankful praises of his people. It is intimated that all Christians ought to glorify God with their praises, in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs. And this shall please the Lord, through Christ the Mediator of our praises as well as of our prayers, better than the most valuable of the legal sacrifices (Psa 69:31), an ox or bullock. This is a plain intimation that in the days of the Messiah an end should be put, not only to the sacrifices of atonement, but to those of praise and acknowledgment which were instituted by the ceremonial law; and, instead of them, spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving are accepted - the calves of our lips, not the calves of the stall, Heb 13:15. It is a great comfort to us that humble and thankful praises are more pleasing to God than the most costly pompous sacrifices are or ever were.

II. He encourages other good people to rejoice in God and continue seeking him (Psa 69:32, Psa 69:33): The humble shall see this and be glad. They shall observe, to their comfort, 1. The experiences of the saints. They shall see how ready God is to hear the poor when they cry to him, and to give them that which they call upon him for, how far he is from despising his prisoners; though men despise them, he favours them with his gracious visits and will find a time to enlarge them. The humble shall see this and be glad, not only because when one member is honoured all the members rejoice with it, but because it is an encouragement to them in their straits and difficulties to trust in God. It shall revive the hearts of those who seek God to see more seals and subscriptions to this truth, that Jacob's God never said to Jacob's seed, Seek you me in vain. 2. The exaltation of the Saviour, for of him the psalmist had been speaking, and of himself as a type of him. When his sorrows are over, and he enters into the joy that was set before him, when he is heard and discharged from his imprisonment in the grave, the humble shall look upon it and be glad, and those that seek God through Christ shall live and be comforted, concluding that, if they suffer with him, they shall also reign with him.

III. He calls upon all the creatures to praise God, the heaven, and earth, and sea, and the inhabitants of each, Psa 69:34. Heaven and earth, and the hosts of both, were made by him, and therefore let heaven and earth praise him. Angels in heaven, and saints on earth, may each of them in their respective habitations furnish themselves with matter enough for constant praise. Let the fishes of the sea, though mute to a proverb, praise the Lord, for the sea is his, and he made it. The praises of the world must be offered for God's favours to his church, Psa 69:35, Psa 69:36. For God will save Zion, the holy mountain, where his service was kept up. He will save all that are sanctified and set apart to him, all that employ themselves in his worship, and all those over whom Christ reigns; for he was King upon the holy hill of Zion. He has mercy in store for the cities of Judah, of which tribe Christ was. God will do great things for the gospel church, in which let all that wish well to it rejoice. For, 1. It shall be peopled and inhabited. There shall be added to it such as shall be saved. The cities of Judah shall be built, particular churches shall be formed and incorporated according to the gospel model, that there may be a remnant to dwell there and to have it in possession, to enjoy the privileges conferred upon it and to pay the tributes and services required from it. Those that love his name, that have a kindness for religion in general, shall embrace the Christian religion, and take their place in the Christian church; they shall dwell therein, as citizens, and of the household of God 2. It shall be perpetuated and inherited. Christianity was not to be res unius aetatis - a transitory thin. No: The seed of his servants shall inherit it. God will secure and raise up for himself a seed to serve him, and they shall inherit the privileges of their fathers; for the promise is to you and your children, as it was of old. I will be a God to thee, and thy seed after thee. The land of promise shall never be lost for want of heirs, for God can out of stones raise up children unto Abraham and will do so rather than the entail shall be cut off. David shall never want a man to stand before him. The Redeemer shall see his seed, and prolong his days in them, till the mystery of God shall be finished and the mystical body completed. And since the holy seed is the substance of the world, and if that were all gathered in the world would be at an end quickly, it is just that for this assurance of the preservation of it heaven and earth should praise him.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Psa 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Ver. 30. I will praise the name of God] i.e. Agnitmn Deum. I will thankfully agnize and recognize God’s great goodness to me in this deliverance, with mine uttermost zeal and skill.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Psa_69:30-36

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Moral states of mind worthy of cultivation

I. A noble resolution (Psa_69:30). There are many ways of praising God: in our writings, conversations, actions.

II. A sound doctrine (Psa_69:31). To obey is better than sacrifice; so is praise, which is the essence of obedience. Better--

1. Because it is good in itself. Sacrifice is not a virtue, praise is; it is essentially valuable, valuable in all worlds; sacrifice is not. Better--

2. Because it is more universal. Praise is everywhere. It is the music of the universe; sacrifice is not. There are no sacrifices amongst the angels; but praise throbs in every pulse of thought and emotion. Better--

3. Because it is more enduring. Praise will chime through the ages.

III. An encouraging assurance (Psa_69:32). The man who lives a joyous life of gratitude towards God cannot fail to exert a morally beneficent influence over those with whom he is brought into connection. The accents and actions of a devout life fall on the heart of society as sunbeams and showers. No man can be good without doing good. No man can be happy in the highest sense without brightening the lives of others. The spiritually joyous man wakes his social circle into music.

IV. An exultant devotion (Psa_69:34). He would have all join him in the great song of praise. True devotion destroys the isolation of the soul.

V. A patriotic hope (Psa_69:35). (Homilist.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

30, 31. I will praise the name of God—The just distinction between the righteous and the wicked, and their treatment according to character, prayed for Psa_69:22-28, shall vindicate the pure in heart, and call forth their praise and thanksgiving, which shall be more pleasing to God than the offering of an ox or bullock.

That hath horns and hoofs—This description simply distinguishes the animal as full grown and possessing the “legal qualifications for being sacrificed.” Of the same class of clean animals they might also take for food, signifying that “man, offering the support of his own life, appeared to offer that life itself.”—Witsius. Leviticus 11, and Deuteronomy 14.

The humble shall see… and be glad—It is this class who are interested in the regular process of justice in government. These, taking God’s side of law and holiness, pray that both may be upheld, which can only be, in the case of obstinate offenders, by the enforcement of penalty. Psa_69:30-34 magnify the praises of Jehovah for his righteous government and the redemption of his people.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

31. (Psa 69:30). I will praise the name of God with song, or in a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. Here, as in many other cases, the certainty of the event is indicated by an expressed determination to thank God for it. See above, on Psa 5:7.

Joseph Addison Alexander, The Psalms Translated and Explained (1850) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Spiritual are better than mere material offerings (Psa 40:6; Psa 50:8); hence a promise of the former, and rather contemptuous terms are used of the latter.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

30. I will celebrate the name of God in a song. The Psalmist now elevated with joy, and sustained by the confident hope of deliverance, sings the triumphant strains of victory. This psalm, there is every reason to believe, was composed after he had been delivered from all apprehension of dangers; but there can be no doubt that the very topics with which it concludes were the matter of his meditation, when trembling with anxiety in the midst of his troubles; for he laid hold upon the grace of God by assured faith, although that grace was then hidden from him, and only the matter of his hope. God is here said to be magnified by our praises; not because any addition can be made to his dignity and glory, which are infinite, but because by our praises his name is exalted among men.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

I will praise the name of God with a song,.... The "name" of God is himself, his perfections and attributes; which are to be "praised" by all his creatures, and especially his saints; and here by the Messiah, who sung the praise of God with his disciples at the supper, a little before his death; and in the great congregation in heaven, upon his ascension thither, having finished the great work of man's redemption. For as it was no lessening of his glory, as Mediator, to pray to God when on earth, it is no diminution of it to praise him in our nature in heaven; see Psa 22:22. This being said to be done with a song agrees with Heb 2:12; and is an instance of praising God this way, and which could not be prayer wise; as well as is a confirmation of the practice of New Testament churches, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, by the example of our Lord;

and will magnify him with thanksgiving: to "magnify" is to make great; but God cannot be greater than he is. He is great above all gods; he is greater than all. But he is magnified when his greatness is owned and declared, and that is ascribed unto him; and particularly when "thanks" are given to him for favours; for then is he acknowledged by men to be the Father of mercies, the author and giver of them; and that they are unworthy of them, and that all the glory belongs to him. Christ, as man, not only prayed, but gave thanks to his Father when on earth, Mat 11:25; nor is it unsuitable to him, as such now in heaven, to give thanks and praise for being heard and helped in a day of salvation; or at the time when he wrought out the salvation of his people, and glorified all the divine perfections.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

I will praise the name of God with a song - As the result of my deliverance, I will “compose” a song or a psalm especially adapted to the occasion, and suited to express and perpetuate my feelings. It was in such circumstances that a large part of the psalms were composed; and since others besides the psalmist are often in such circumstances, the Book of Psalms becomes permanently useful in the church. It is not always necessary now to “compose” a song or hymn to express our feelings in the circumstances in which we are placed in life - for we may commonly find such sacred songs ready at our hand; yet no one can doubt the propriety of adding to the number of such by those who can do it, or of increasing the compositions for praise in the church in view of the ever-varied experience of the children of God.

And will magnify him - Will exalt his name; will endeavor to make it “seem” greater; or, will spread it further abroad.

With thanksgiving - I will use expressions of thanks to make his name more widely known.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Ver. 30. I will praise the name of God with a song. He who sang after the passover, sings yet more joyously after the resurrection and ascension. He is, in very truth, "the sweet singer of Israel." He leads the eternal melodies, and all his saints join in chorus.

And will magnify him with thanksgiving. How sure was our Redeemer of ultimate victory, since he vows a song even while yet in the furnace. In us, also, faith foresees the happy issue of all affliction, and makes us even now begin the music of gratitude which shall go on for ever increasing in volume, world without end. What clear shining after the rain we have in this and succeeding verses. The darkness is past, and the glory light shines forth as the sun. All the honour is rendered unto him to whom all the prayer was presented; he alone could deliver and did deliver, and, therefore, to him only be the praise.

None.

Ver. 30-31.

I. The effect of deliverance upon the people of God. It

fills them with praise and thanksgiving.

II. The effect in relation to God. He is more pleased

with it than with any other offerings: "Whoso offereth

praise, "etc. G. R.

Psalms 69:31*

Ver. 30-31.

I. The effect of deliverance upon the people of God. It

fills them with praise and thanksgiving.

II. The effect in relation to God. He is more pleased

with it than with any other offerings: "Whoso offereth

praise, "etc. G. R.

Psalms 69:32*

Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Vers. 30-36. In conclusion, the psalmist bursts out into praise. Confident of receiving the deliverance for which he has prayed, he anticipates it by at once offering thanksgiving (ver. 30). He then calls on others to rejoice with him, first on the poor and humble (vers. 32, 33), then on heaven and earth and their inhabitants generally (ver. 34). Finally, he delivers a confident prophecy of the continued prosperity of Judah and Jerusalem (vers. 35, 36).

I will praise the Name of God with a song. (For praise of the Name of God, see Psa_7:17 Psa_9:2 Psa_29:2 Psa_34:3 Psa_66:1 Psa_68:4, etc.) And will magnify him with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving had already, in Ps 1, been set above sacrifice.

Vers. 30-36. Praise.

I GRANDEST THEME. "Name of God." Take Exo_3:14, where God is called the "I am;" or the next verse, where as "the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob," he says, "This is my Name forever." Or take Exo_34:6, or some of the great titles given to God: Jehovah-jireh; (Gen_22:14) Jehovah-tsidkenu; (Jer_33:16) Jehovah-shalom; (Jud_1:6:24) Jehovah-nissi. (Exo_17:15) What a glorious subject, with endless variety of charm!

II NOBLEST INSPIRATION. "Thanksgiving." This implies in the singer a right relation and a right spirit. We can only praise God aright as we know him as God, and as our hearts glow with love to him as our God and our Redeemer.

III TRUEST POPULARITY. It is not what pleases the people that stands highest, but what pleases God. He looks to the heart. He distinguishes between the form and the spirit. The sacrifice which is acceptable to him is that which is offered in faith and love. The two mites of the humble widow far transcend the splendid gifts of the proud Pharisees.

IV THE MOST POWERFUL ARGUMENT. (Ver. 33) "For." Reference is made to God"s love of the poor; God"s rescue of the oppressed, his "prisoners," from Joseph in Egypt, down to John at Patmos; God"s promotion of righteousness and mercy and peace.

V THE MOST DELIGHTFUL CONCLUSION. (Vers. 34-36) True in part of Judah and Zion, but finding its highest fulfilment in him who is the true King of men, and whose rule alone can unite Jew and Gentile, and bring joy to heaven and earth. W.F.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

the name of God

Here "name" refers to God himself. AT: "God" (See: Metonymy)

with thanksgiving

This abstract noun can be stated with the verb "thank." AT: "by thanking him" (See: Abstract Nouns)

better than an ox or a bull

It is understood that the ox and the bull are to be offered to God as sacrifices. AT: "better than sacrificing an ox or sacrificing a bull" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

a bull that has horns and hooves

This phrase distinguishes the full grown bulls from other younger cows. AT: "a bull that is full grown with horns and hooves" (See: Distinguishing versus Informing or Reminding)

translationWords

praise

name

exalt

Yahweh

cow

cow

hoof

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.