Psalm 51:16

Translations

Modern

For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings.

Traditional

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

Literal

For You do not take delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; with a burnt offering You are not pleased.

Latin

Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium, dedissem utique; holocaustis non delectaberis.

Original

Hebrew

English

For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings.

Notes

Psalms 51:1–19

This heartfelt prayer for restoration seeks God's favor, mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing. With a broken spirit, the psalmist admits his sin and takes responsibility (Psalm 51:3–6). He then asks God to remove his guilt and renew him internally (Psalm 51:7–12). The psalmist commits again to living wisely and joyfully while serving God and others (Psalm 51:13–17).

Psalms 51:1–65:13

These psalms of David share a common theme. They reflect on the experience of evil. In Psalm 51, the psalmist admits his wrongdoing and asks for God's forgiveness. Psalms 52–64 express sorrow over specific evils David faced. A song of praise (Psalm 65) brings David's laments to an end.

Theme notes and profiles

Bathsheba David Pure Worship Rebuilding of Jerusalem

Related verses

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Psalm 40:6
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require.
Hebrews 10:5–6
Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me.
1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.
Psalm 51:6
Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Proverbs 21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!
Isaiah 1:11–15
“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
Amos 5:21–23
“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies.
Jeremiah 7:22–23
For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not merely command them about burnt offerings and sacrifices,
Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Psalm 50:8
I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices, and your burnt offerings are ever before Me.
Numbers 15:30–31
But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people.

Psalm 51:16

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