Psalms 51:17

17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. O God, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful heart.

Psalms 51:17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 51:17

The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit
That is humbled under a sense of sin; has true repentance for it; is smitten, wounded, and broken with it, by the word of God in the hand of the Spirit, which is a hammer to break the rock in pieces; and that not merely in a legal, but in an evangelical way; grieving for sin as committed against a God of love; broken and melted down under a sense of it, in a view of pardoning grace; and mourning for it, while beholding a pierced and wounded Saviour: the sacrifices of such a broken heart and contrite spirit are the sacrifices God desires, approves, accepts of, and delights in;

a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise;
but regard, and receive with pleasure; see ( Psalms 102:17 ) ; the Lord binds up and heals such broken hearts and spirits, ( Psalms 147:3 ) ( Isaiah 61:1 ) ; he is nigh to such persons, looks upon them, has respect unto them, and comes and dwells among them, ( Psalms 34:18 ) ( Isaiah 66:1 Isaiah 66:2 ) ( 57:15 ) .

Psalms 51:17 In-Context

15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will tell about your praise.

16 You are not happy with any sacrifice. Otherwise, I would offer one [to you]. You are not pleased with burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. O God, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful heart.

18 Favor Zion with your goodness. Rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit-- with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Young bulls will be offered on your altar.