Psalm 51:17

Translations

Modern

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Traditional

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Literal

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A heart broken and crushed, O God, You will not despise.

Latin

Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus; cor contritum et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies.

Original

Hebrew

English

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

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 Job’s Innocence Pure Worship Rebuilding of Jerusalem The Heart in the Psalms

Related verses

Psalm 34:18
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.
Isaiah 66:2
Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.
Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Luke 15:10
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
Mark 12:33
…and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2 Chronicles 33:12–13
And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers.
Psalm 102:17
He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer.
Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.
1 Peter 2:5
…you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
2 Kings 22:19
…because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its people, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD.

Psalm 51:17

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