What Does Psalms 69:31 Mean?

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. Having moved through lament and imprecation, David transitions to vow of praise—a common lament psalm conclusion. "I will praise" (אֲהַלְלָה/ahallela) is future tense, expressing confident expectation that God will deliver, warranting future worship. "The name of God" (שֵׁם־אֱלֹהִים/shem-elohim) invokes not merely the divine title but God's revealed character, reputation, and covenant faithfulness manifest in deliverance.

"With a song" (בְּשִׁיר/veshir) indicates public, communal worship through singing—not merely private gratitude but corporate testimony to God's faithfulness. "Magnify him" (אֲגַדְּלֶנּוּ/agaddelenu) means to make great, declare great, exalt—not that God needs magnification (He's already great) but that David will publicly proclaim God's greatness so others recognize it. Mary's Magnificat echoes this: "My soul doth magnify the Lord" (Luke 1:46).

"With thanksgiving" (בְתוֹדָה/vetodah) comes from yadah (to acknowledge, confess, give thanks). It's public acknowledgment of God as source of deliverance. This anticipates Christian worship where thanksgiving pervades prayer and praise (Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:18).