Psalms 69:31

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

This also shall please {H3190} the LORD {H3068} better {H3190}{H8799)} than an ox {H7794} or bullock {H6499} that hath horns {H7160}{H8688)} and hoofs {H6536}{H8688)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This will please ADONAI more than a bull, with its horns and hoofs.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

And it will please Jehovah better than an ox, Ora bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 69:31 encapsulates a profound truth about divine preference, asserting that the heartfelt praise and thanksgiving offered by the psalmist are far more pleasing to the LORD than even the most valuable and ritually perfect animal sacrifices. This declaration elevates the internal, spiritual offering of a contrite and grateful heart above external, material acts of worship, revealing God's desire for genuine relationship and authentic devotion over mere ritualistic observance. It serves as a timeless principle, emphasizing that true worship stems from a transformed inner disposition rather than the magnitude of outward performance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 69 is a deeply personal and poignant lament, often attributed to David, where the psalmist cries out from a place of intense suffering, persecution, and profound distress. He describes being overwhelmed by enemies, alienated from family, and experiencing the scorn of those who hate him without cause, even feeling consumed by zeal for God's house [Psalms 69:9](/psalms/69-9 "Psalms 69:9 - Zeal for God's House"). Despite the overwhelming sorrow and a broken heart [Psalms 69:20](/psalms/69-20 "Psalms 69:20 - A Broken Heart"), the psalm undergoes a significant shift from verse 30 onwards. This transition moves from fervent complaint and imprecation to an expression of unwavering confidence in God's eventual deliverance and a commitment to praise Him. Verse 30 explicitly states, "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving." Verse 31, with its opening "This also," directly builds upon and clarifies the immense value God places on this very act of spiritual praise and thanksgiving, contrasting it with traditional sacrifices.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the offering of oxen, bullocks, and other animals was a central and divinely ordained component of the Levitical sacrificial system [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Burnt Offerings"). These sacrifices served multiple purposes: atonement for sin, expressions of thanksgiving, dedication, and fellowship with God. An "ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs" vividly describes a fully grown, healthy, and unblemished animal, representing a significant and costly offering, signifying the worshiper's commitment and the high value placed on the offering. However, throughout the Old Testament, there is a recurring prophetic theme that emphasizes God's preference for obedience, justice, mercy, and a right heart over mere ritual. Prophets like Samuel [1 Samuel 15:22](/1-samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice") and Hosea [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice") consistently conveyed that while ritual was commanded, it was meaningless without genuine internal devotion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Psalms and broader biblical theology. It underscores the **superiority of spiritual worship** over external ritual, highlighting that God values the sincerity of the heart and the genuine expression of praise and thanksgiving more than the most valuable material offerings. It reveals God's profound **desire for intimacy** and authentic relationship, showing that He is less interested in the quantity or costliness of outward observances and more in the quality of genuine devotion and a thankful spirit. Furthermore, it redefines what constitutes an **acceptable sacrifice** to the LORD, not merely something costly or prescribed by law, but something offered from a heart transformed by faith and gratitude. This theme anticipates later prophetic and New Testament teachings on the nature of true worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Please (Hebrew, _yatav'_):** The Hebrew verb יָטַב (_yatav_), translated "please," means "to be good, to be pleasing, to be well, to be agreeable." It denotes a state of being agreeable or acceptable to someone. In this context, it signifies divine approval and delight. It's not merely that God tolerates or accepts this praise, but that He finds it inherently good and takes pleasure in it, indicating a deep satisfaction that transcends the efficacy of a material offering.
* **Ox (Hebrew, _shor'_), Bullock (Hebrew, _par'_):** These terms refer to mature bovine animals, specifically male cattle. An "ox" (שׁוֹר, _shor_) is a general term for a bull or cow, while a "bullock" (פַּר, _par_) specifically denotes a young bull, often used for sacrifice. The phrase "that hath horns and hoofs" is a descriptive idiom emphasizing a complete, healthy, and mature animal, signifying a prime and valuable offering. These animals were among the most significant and costly sacrifices in the Levitical system, used for burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings, representing the pinnacle of material worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[This] also":** This demonstrative phrase directly refers back to the preceding verse, Psalms 69:30, where the psalmist declares, "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving." The "this" is the act of heartfelt praise and thanksgiving, a spiritual offering from the lips and heart of the worshiper. The inclusion of "also" suggests that while animal sacrifices were valid and commanded, there is *another* form of offering—a spiritual one—that holds even greater weight in God's eyes.
* **"shall please the LORD better":** This is the core assertion of the verse, establishing a clear hierarchy of value in God's estimation. The spiritual offering of praise and thanksgiving is not just acceptable, but it is *more* pleasing, more delightful, and more agreeable to God than the most esteemed material sacrifice. This phrase reveals God's character and His priorities: He values the internal disposition and genuine devotion of His people over the external performance of ritual, no matter how costly.
* **"than an ox [or] bullock that hath horns and hoofs":** This clause provides the explicit point of comparison. By specifying a fully grown, healthy, and complete animal, the psalmist emphasizes that even the most perfect and valuable material sacrifice—the gold standard of offerings in the Mosaic Law—is surpassed in divine favor by sincere spiritual worship. It is a powerful statement that shifts the focus from the physical act of giving to the spiritual posture of the giver.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 69:31 primarily employs **Contrast** and **Hyperbole** (or a form of **Comparative Emphasis**) to convey its message. The central device is **Contrast**, setting the "praise and thanksgiving" of the psalmist against the "ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs." This opposition highlights the qualitative difference in God's preference, elevating the spiritual over the material. The phrase "better than" functions as a form of **Comparative Emphasis**, not necessarily to negate the value of animal sacrifices entirely (as they were divinely ordained), but to underscore the *superiority* and greater delight God finds in heartfelt spiritual worship. The vivid description of the animal ("that hath horns and hoofs") serves as **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where a part (a prime animal) stands for the whole sacrificial system, making the comparison even more impactful by pitting the highest form of ritual against the simplest, yet most profound, spiritual act.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 69:31 stands as a pivotal Old Testament expression of a recurring theological truth: God's ultimate desire for a relationship characterized by genuine heart-devotion rather than mere external ritual. This verse, therefore, prefigures and aligns with prophetic declarations that consistently prioritize obedience, justice, mercy, and knowledge of God over burnt offerings. It reveals that the heart of worship is not found in the costliness of the offering, but in the sincerity of the giver. This principle is foundational to understanding the New Covenant, where the focus shifts entirely from animal sacrifices to spiritual sacrifices offered through Christ. Our worship, then, becomes a living response to God's grace, expressed through praise, thanksgiving, and a life lived in obedience.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1-samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice")
* [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 69:31 offers a timeless and profoundly liberating truth for believers today. In a world that often measures worth by outward display or material contribution, this verse redirects our focus to the heart of worship. It reminds us that our most valuable offering to God is not what we can physically give, but the genuine praise and thanksgiving that flow from a sincere and grateful heart. This means cultivating an attitude of gratitude in all circumstances, even amidst suffering and challenge, as the psalmist did. It encourages us to prioritize our inner spiritual posture—our humility, our trust, our joy in the Lord—over any external performance or religious duty. Our lives, our words, and our very being become a continuous sacrifice of praise, deeply pleasing to the LORD, reflecting a vibrant and intimate relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be prioritizing external religious acts over genuine, heartfelt praise and thanksgiving in my own life?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper spirit of gratitude and praise, especially when facing difficulties or suffering, as the psalmist did?**
* **What does it mean for my daily life and interactions if God values my sincere heart more than any outward offering?**
* **How does understanding God's preference for spiritual sacrifice impact my approach to corporate worship and personal devotion?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that animal sacrifices were no longer important in ancient Israel?**

Answer: No, this verse does not abolish or negate the importance of animal sacrifices within the divinely ordained Mosaic Law. The sacrificial system was a crucial part of Israel's covenant relationship with God, serving as a means of atonement, purification, and worship. Rather, Psalms 69:31, like other prophetic statements (e.g., [Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11 "Isaiah 1:11-17 - God's Displeasure with Empty Rituals")), emphasizes God's *priority*. It highlights that while the ritual was necessary, it was insufficient if performed without a sincere heart. God always desired the internal devotion and obedience of His people more than the mere outward act, even of a costly sacrifice. The verse underscores that the *spirit* behind the offering was paramount.

**What does "this also" specifically refer to in the context of Psalms 69:31?**

Answer: "This also" directly refers to the spiritual acts of worship described in the preceding verse, [Psalms 69:30](/psalms/69-30 "Psalms 69:30 - Praise and Thanksgiving"). There, the psalmist declares, "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving." Therefore, "this also" signifies the offering of heartfelt praise, joyful song, and sincere thanksgiving. It is the spontaneous, joyful, and grateful expression of the heart towards God that is being contrasted with the animal sacrifice, demonstrating its superior value in God's eyes.

**How can believers today offer "spiritual sacrifices" that please the LORD?**

Answer: For believers today, the concept of spiritual sacrifice is profoundly relevant, especially in light of the New Testament. We no longer offer animal sacrifices, as Christ's perfect sacrifice has fulfilled and superseded them. Instead, we are called to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), dedicating our entire lives—our bodies, minds, and wills—to God's service. Specifically, [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise") instructs us to "continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." This includes acts of worship, thanksgiving, obedience, acts of service, sharing with others ([Hebrews 13:16](/hebrews/13-16 "Hebrews 13:16 - Doing Good and Sharing")), and prayer ([Philippians 4:6](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6 - Prayer and Thanksgiving")). These are the "spiritual sacrifices" that are pleasing to God, flowing from a heart transformed by faith in Jesus Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 69:31 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the offering of oxen and bullocks, was a shadow pointing to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Christ's crucifixion was the full and final atonement for sin, rendering all animal sacrifices obsolete, as [Hebrews 10:1-10](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-10 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice") powerfully attests. Because Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, we are now able to approach God directly, not with the blood of animals, but with the "sacrifice of praise" ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise"))—the very spiritual offering that Psalms 69:31 declares to be more pleasing to the LORD. Our ability to offer genuine praise and thanksgiving, to present our bodies as "living sacrifices" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), is entirely predicated on Christ's finished work. He is the one who makes our spiritual worship acceptable and delightful to the Father, fulfilling the psalmist's longing for a worship that truly pleases God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 50:13

Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

Psalms 50:14

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

Hebrews 13:15

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

Psalms 50:23

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth [his] conversation [aright] will I shew the salvation of God.

Ephesians 5:19

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 2:5

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.