Psalms 69:31

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 69:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it will please Jehovah better than an ox, [Or] a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it will please Jehovah better than an ox, [Or] a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.
Psalms 69:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 69

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31And it will please Jehovah better than an ox, [Or] a bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The law of his God [is] in his heart, etc.] Which may be understood of the moral law, which was written in the heart of Adam an his creation, and continued there during his state of innocence, but was greatly obliterated by sin: there are some remains of it in fallen man, even in the very Gentiles; who, though without the law, do some things contained in it, which shows the work of it to be written in them; though in some it is scarcely legible, having lost all distinction between good and evil: but in regeneration the law of God is reinscribed, according to the promise of the covenant of grace, (<243133>Jeremiah 31:33); and such have a real knowledge of the spirituality and perfection of…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This also shall please the Lord - This will be more acceptable to the Lord. Better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs - Better than a burnt sacrifice - horns, and hoofs, and all. The original here is, “horning and hoofing;” that is, an ox whose horns were fully grown, and whose hoofs were compact and solid; a perfect animal in its kind, offered whole on the altar. The psalmist does not say that such an offering would “not” be acceptable to the Lord, but that the offering of the heart - the sacrifice of praise - would be “more” acceptable than any such offering in itself considered. This sentiment accords with the common language of the Old Testament. See the notes at Psalms…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“This - This hearty sacrifice of praise, is more grateful to God, than the most glorious legal sacrifices. Hath horns - That is both tender and mature, as it is when the horns bud forth, and the hoofs grow hard. Psalms 69:32”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“69:31 Making a vow often included a sacrifice (20:3; 51:19; cp. 50:13-14; 51:16).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“also shall: Psa 50:13, Psa 50:14, Psa 50:23; Hos 14:2; Eph 5:19, Eph 5:20; Heb 13:15; Pe1 2:5 Psalms 69:32”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification