“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”  (Psalm 34:3)

What do these words “magnify” and “exalt” actually mean? What is this verse actually telling us to do?

According to Webster, the word “magnify” has several meanings, but the definition for our text is the first one: “to praise highly; extol, laud; to cause to be held in greater esteem.” Some of the synonyms for this definition are “exalt” and “glorify.”

The word “exalt” means “to raise up especially in rank, power, or dignity; to elevate in estimation: glorify.” One of the synonyms for this word is “magnify”; other synonyms are “extol, honor, laud, praise.”

Therefore, we see that “magnify” and “exalt” are synonyms. They mean ultimately the same thing – “to praise highly.”

Part A: The What

“Magnify” and “exalt”; in these words, the Psalmist David is giving us ‘The What.’ We are to praise. This means: to express approval of; to glorify; to bless, extol, laud, adore, worship, applaud; to magnify.

1. Praise is an attitude of the spirit:

“I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart…” (Psalms 9:1)

“… I will praise the LORD with my whole heart…” (Psalms 111:1)

“I will praise thee with my whole heart…” (Psalms 138:1)

2. Praise is also an action of the spirit:

“… with my song will I praise him.” (Psalms 28:7)

“…his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalms 34:1)

“…upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.” (Psalms 43:4)

“…mouth shall shew forth thy praise.” (Psalms 51:15)

“…my lips shall praise thee.” (Psalms 63:3)

“…I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.” (Psalms 108:1)

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15)

Part B: The Who

Who are we do it towards?

“The LORD” and “his name”; The Hebrew word translated “LORD” is Jehovah or Yahweh. The name “Jehovah Elohim” or “LORD God” (Genesis 2:4) means “the strong self-existent one.”

The Bible shows us seven compound names of the name Jehovah:

1. In Genesis 22:13-14, we find “Jehovah-jirah;” which means, “the Lord will provide.”
2. Then in Exodus 15:26, “Jehovah-rapha”; or, “the Lord that healeth.”
3. Still in Exodus, 17:15 shows us “Jehovah-nissi”; or “the Lord is our banner.”
4. Another compound name is found in Judges 6:23-24, “Jehovah-Shalom.” This means “The Lord our peace.”
5. In Psalms 23:1, David uses the name “Jehovah-ra-ah”; which means “The Lord our Shepard.” It is translated as, “The Lord is my shepherd.”
6. Jeremiah writes of “Jehovah-tsidkenu.” This means “The Lord our Righteousness”; translated as such, “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:6).
7. Ezekiel speaks of “Jehovah-shammah.” This is translated “The LORD is there” (Ezekiel 48:35).

Therefore, God is to be praised; and He is the only One to be praised. (See Psalms 7:17; 9:1; 28:7; 43:5; 112:1; 118:28; 135:3; 146:2; 150-1-6.)

“I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.” (Psalms 54:6)

“Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.” (Psalms 145:2)

“Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.” (Psalms 148:5)

Praise the Name of Jesus. (See Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:12.)

Who is to do this?

The answer to the second part of this question is “me,” and then “us.” David always uses the personal pronoun first: “I will praise”; “with my song”; “in my mouth”; “my lips.” Then he includes others. The “us” he is referring to are “the redeemed of the LORD”:

“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” (Psalms 107:1-2)

David spoke of himself and his brethren in Christ; “me” and “us.”

Part C: The How

This answer is found is the last word of our text verse, “together.” That is, with one spirit, in unity, in the assembly.  (See Psalms 67:5; 102:21; 107:8.)

“Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.” (Psalms 148:5)

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.” (Psalms 150:1)

The praise must come from hearts unified in Christ. We must have the mind of Christ; we must have His Spirit dwelling in us – to be able to “magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”