Psalms 40:6-8

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened^[a] — burnt offerings and sin offerings^[b] you did not require.

7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll.^[c]

8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

Psalms 40:6 in Other Translations

6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.

6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand — you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.

6 Doing something for you, bringing something to you - that's not what you're after. Being religious, acting pious - that's not what you're asking for. You've opened my ears so I can listen.

6 You do not delight in sacrifice and offering; You open my ears to listen. You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.

Psalms 40:6-8 In-Context

4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

5 Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened — burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll.

8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know.

10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.

Cross References

• 1. S 1 Samuel 15:22; Jeremiah 6:20; Amos 5:22
• 2. Exodus 21:6
• 3. Psalms 50:8; Psalms 51:16; Isaiah 1:11; Hosea 6:6
• 4. Job 19:23; Jeremiah 36:2; Jeremiah 45:1; Ezekiel 2:9; Zechariah 5:1
• 5. S Matthew 26:39; John 4:34
• 6. Hebrews 10:5-7*
• 7. S Deuteronomy 6:6; S Job 22:22; Romans 7:22; Psalms 37:31

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts "but a body you have prepared for me"
• [b]. Or "purification offerings"
• [c]. Or "come" / "with the scroll written for me"