As some of you know, I’ve been spending the summer memorizing a select group of Psalms. I’ll be honest with you, it’s been somewhat of a struggle. I may not learn all eight of the Psalms I originally chose, but I hope to become intimate with the ones I’ve tackled so far.
My most recent challenge is Psalm 34, and lately verse 3 has been at work in me: O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. What a wonderful verse! It makes me want to jump up and join David in magnifying and exalting our great God. But what do those words really mean?
What comes to your mind when you hear the word “magnify?” Does it conjure up images of Sherlock Holmes, complete with tweed hat and curved pipe, leaning over some clue, intently examining it with his magnifying glass? We know that magnification makes something appear larger than it actually is. A tiny ant can take on the appearance of a ferocious beast. And that miniscule wrinkle in the corner of our eye can take on new dimensions when looked at in a magnifying mirror!
Problems in our lives are magnified when we give them greater importance than they actually deserve. We can also magnify people, elevating them to a position they may not want or should not be given. But there are some things and Someone worthy of being magnified.
The Hebrew word for magnify (gadal) means to make great, powerful or important. It’s often translated “grow,” with the idea that a child might grow up to assume an important position, or a man might grow in riches and be seen as great and powerful. The LORD God magnified Joshua when He chose him to be the successor of Moses. Men such as Samson, Samuel and Solomon were all magnified before their God.
Scripture says that God magnifies both Himself and His word:
"I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD" (Ezekiel 38:23).
I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word according to all Your name (Psalm 138:2).
The second part of Psalm 34:3 highlights the word exalt (ruwm) which means to set on high, to lift or raise up. As I looked at this word throughout the Psalms, I noted that God Himself as well as the city of His heart, Jerusalem are all to be exalted or elevated to a place of extreme importance and significance.
Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His footstool; Holy is He (Psalm 99:5).
May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy (Psalm 137:6).
So let’s put it all together. I will make great the name of the only One worthy of praise and adulation. He is All Powerful and of greatest importance in my life. I will set His Name, His Character, and His word above all else, loving and adoring His majesty, His holiness, and His essence. I will lift up Who He is and all He is – Ruler, King, Master, and Lord – setting Him above every person and every possession of this world or the world to come.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together today and every day for the rest of our lives. Amen.
How has the Word been at work in you lately? We’d love to have you share!
