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

PSALMS 69:31KJV
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Psalms 69:31 (KJV)

What does Psalms 69:31 mean?

Psalms 69:31 says that pleasing the LORD is accomplished more by sincere praise than by offering valuable animal sacrifices like an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. The verse highlights that heartfelt worship is more important to God than ritual offerings.

In this psalm, David is speaking to God during a time of distress, expressing his trust that genuine thanksgiving and praise will be more pleasing to the LORD (the personal name for God in Hebrew) than traditional animal sacrifices. The verse shifts focus from outward religious acts to the inner attitude of the worshiper, showing that God values the heart behind the worship more than the material value of the sacrifice.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 69:31

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal, covenant name for God in Hebrew, emphasizing a close relationship between God and His people.
  • please / better (יָטַב, yatav): The same Hebrew root is used twice, carrying the sense of being pleasing or good in God’s eyes. This repetition stresses that praise is not just acceptable, but even more desirable to God than costly offerings.
  • ox (שׁוֹר, shor) and bullock (פַּר, par): These are two different kinds of sacrificial animals, both considered valuable in ancient Israelite worship. Mentioning both highlights the worth of the sacrifice being compared to praise.
  • horns (קֶרֶן, qeren) and hoofs (פַּרְסָה, parsah): These details describe a mature, perfect animal, the kind most prized for sacrifice, further emphasizing that even the best offerings are less pleasing to God than sincere praise.

Why Psalms 69:31 matters

  • Psalms 69:31 clarifies that God values the heart and intention behind worship more than the outward act or material value of a sacrifice.
  • This verse connects to a broader biblical theme that obedience and genuine devotion matter more to God than ritual or tradition alone.
  • The verse helps explain the psalmist’s personal relationship with God, showing that even in distress, true praise is what God desires most.

Where else these words appear

“horns” Hebrew H7160 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 34:29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
  • Exodus 34:30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
  • Exodus 34:35 And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

“hoofs” Hebrew H6536 · used in 12 verses

  • Leviticus 11:3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
  • Leviticus 11:6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
  • Deuteronomy 14:7 Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.

“ox” Hebrew H7794 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 32:5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
  • Leviticus 17:3 What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp,
  • Judges 6:4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.

“please” Hebrew H3190 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
  • Deuteronomy 30:5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
  • Psalms 36:3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.