I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30).
At first glance, the psalmist’s declaration may seem strange. How does one “magnify” the omniscient, omnipresent, almighty God who holds the universe in his hand? In other words, how can anyone make an everywhere-present God bigger?
But consider what we do when we use a magnifying glass in order to read small print, or perform detailed work, or inspect any item more closely. Does the magnifying glass actually make the object larger? No, but it does increase our own ability to perceive and appreciate the thing being considered.
When we praise God, we necessarily come to appreciate God better.
Similarly, the psalmist recognizes that praising God and giving him gratitude will “grow” his view of God, not only in his own sight but also in the sight of others.
When we praise God, we necessarily come to appreciate God better. When we give thanks to Jesus, and spend concerted time and conscious effort gratefully considering the multitude of his blessings toward us, the name of Jesus is magnified!
The word of God and the name of Jesus mightily grows when those who believe on him publicly treasure and value him, proclaiming his supreme worth. That is why the psalmist shares his personal determination in a public song of worship — he desires to magnify God, not only for the sake of his own soul, but for the sake of others’ as well.