Psalms 51:17

17 The greatest sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. God, you will gladly accept a heart that is broken because of sadness over sin.

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 Lord, open my lips so that I can speak. Then my mouth will praise you.

16 You don't take delight in sacrifice. If you did, I would bring it. You don't take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 The greatest sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. God, you will gladly accept a heart that is broken because of sadness over sin.

18 May you be pleased to give Zion success. Build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then holy sacrifices will be offered in the right way. Whole burnt offerings will bring delight to you. And bulls will be offered on your altar.