Psalms 69:31

And this will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with horns and hooves.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The psalmist speaks this declaration immediately after resolving to praise God’s name in song and exalt Him with thanksgiving. The statement addresses Yahweh directly as the recipient of this preferred worship.

The words — The Hebrew verb תִּיטַב (tiṭṭav) means "it may be good" or "it will please," linked to לַיהוָה (layahweh) "to Yahweh." The text contrasts this pleasing act with מִשּׁוֹר (min-shor) "an ox" and פָּר (par) "a young bull" described as מַקְרִן (māqrēn) "having horns" and מַפְרִיס (māprīs) "having hooves."

The thread — The text's preference for praise over animal sacrifice aligns with Psalms 50:13, which records God rejecting the need for bulls and goats. Hebrews 13:15 applies this pattern by instructing believers to continually offer a sacrifice of praise through Jesus.

Why it lands — The text states that spoken praise and thanksgiving please God more than ritual animal offerings. It requires readers to prioritize verbal worship and right conduct over reliance on external sacrifices.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְתִיטַ֣בve./ti.Tavso/ it may be good לַֽ֭יהוָהla./Yah.wehto/ Yahweh מִשּׁ֥וֹרmi./Shormore than/ an ox פָּ֗רPara young bull מַקְרִ֥ןmak.Rinhaving horns מַפְרִֽיס׃maf.Rishaving hooves

King James Version

This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

Cross-references

Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.
Psalms 50:13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
Psalms 50:23 He who sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and to him who rightly orders his way, I will show the salvation of God.”
Ephesians 5:19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,
1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Hosea 14:2 Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.