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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/51-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/19_Psa_051_017.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 51:17 - Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/51-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/51-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/51.htm">Chapter 51</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/51-16.htm" title="Psalm 51:16">◄</a> Psalm 51:17 <a href="/psalms/51-18.htm" title="Psalm 51:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/51.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/51.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/51.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/51.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/51.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/51.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God <i>are</i> a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/51.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God <i>are</i> a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/51.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/51.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/51.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/51.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/51.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />My [only] sacrifice [acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart [broken with sorrow for sin, thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/51.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/51.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/51.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/51.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The way to please you is to be truly sorry deep in our hearts. This is the kind of sacrifice you won't refuse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/51.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/51.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. O God, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/51.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God; you will not reject a humble and repentant heart. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/51.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />True sacrifice to God is a broken spirit. A broken and chastened heart, God, you will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/51.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/51.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit--O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/51.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/51.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/51.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/51.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit, "" A heart broken and bruised, O God, "" You do not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/51.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A heart broken and bruised, O God, Thou dost not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/51.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God a spirit being broken: a heart being broken and crushed, O God, thou wilt not despise.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/51.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/51.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 50:19>A crushed spirit is a sacrifice to God. A contrite and humbled heart, O God, you will not spurn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/51.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/51.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/51.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/51.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a humble spirit; God does not reject a broken heart.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/51.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/51.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Sacrifice to God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/51-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=6156" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/51.htm">Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2077.htm" title="2077: ziḇ·ḥê (N-mpc) -- A sacrifice. From zabach; properly, a slaughter, i.e. The flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice.">The sacrifices</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God</a> <a href="/hebrew/7665.htm" title="7665: niš·bā·rāh (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To break, break in pieces. A primitive root; to burst.">are a broken</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: rū·aḥ (N-csc) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">spirit;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7665.htm" title="7665: niš·bār (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To break, break in pieces. A primitive root; to burst.">a broken</a> <a href="/hebrew/1794.htm" title="1794: wə·niḏ·keh (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To crush. A primitive root; to collapse.">and a contrite</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lêḇ- (N-ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">heart,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">O God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/959.htm" title="959: ṯiḇ·zeh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To despise. A primitive root; to disesteem.">despise.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-15.htm">Isaiah 57:15</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/66-2.htm">Isaiah 66:2</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">Matthew 5:3</a></span><br />“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-6.htm">James 4:6</a></span><br />But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-5.htm">1 Peter 5:5</a></span><br />Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Isaiah 61:1</a></span><br />The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13-14</a></span><br />But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ / I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/7-10.htm">2 Corinthians 7:10</a></span><br />Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13</a></span><br />So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a></span><br />With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a></span><br />For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Matthew 9:13</a></span><br />But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-21.htm">Luke 15:21</a></span><br />The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Hebrews 10:22</a></span><br />let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.</p><p class="hdg">sacrifices</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/107-22.htm">Psalm 107:22</a></b></br> And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/12-33.htm">Mark 12:33</a></b></br> And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love <i>his</i> neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1</a></b></br> I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, <i>which is</i> your reasonable service.</p><p class="hdg">a broken spirit</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/34-18.htm">Psalm 34:18</a></b></br> The LORD <i>is</i> nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/147-3.htm">Psalm 147:3</a></b></br> He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/22-19.htm">2 Kings 22:19</a></b></br> Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard <i>thee</i>, saith the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">thou</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/22-24.htm">Psalm 22:24</a></b></br> For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/102-17.htm">Psalm 102:17</a></b></br> He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/33-12.htm">2 Chronicles 33:12,13</a></b></br> And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/20-3.htm">Acceptable</a> <a href="/psalms/51-8.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/psalms/51-8.htm">Bruised</a> <a href="/psalms/34-18.htm">Contrite</a> <a href="/psalms/36-4.htm">Despise</a> <a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/psalms/50-23.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-30.htm">Sorrowing</a> <a href="/psalms/51-12.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/psalms/51-6.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/69-13.htm">Acceptable</a> <a href="/psalms/53-5.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/psalms/89-10.htm">Bruised</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-15.htm">Contrite</a> <a href="/psalms/69-33.htm">Despise</a> <a href="/psalms/53-1.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/psalms/51-19.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/psalms/54-6.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/psalms/51-19.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-4.htm">Sorrowing</a> <a href="/psalms/73-21.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/psalms/51-19.htm">Wilt</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 51</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/51-1.htm">David prays for remission of sins, whereof he makes a deep confession</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/51-6.htm">He prays for sanctification</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">God delights not in sacrifice, but in sincerity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/51-18.htm">He prays for the church</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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However, this phrase emphasizes that God values inner transformation over ritualistic offerings. A "broken spirit" signifies humility and repentance, aligning with the prophetic call for genuine devotion (<a href="/isaiah/57-15.htm">Isaiah 57:15</a>). This reflects the heart of the Law and Prophets, where obedience and love for God surpass mere ceremonial acts (<a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a>).<p><b>a broken and a contrite heart,</b><br>The terms "broken" and "contrite" suggest deep sorrow for sin and a sincere desire for reconciliation with God. This internal posture is essential for true repentance, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like David himself, who authored this psalm after his sin with Bathsheba (<a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">2 Samuel 12:13</a>). The emphasis on the heart echoes the Shema (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a>), where love for God must be wholehearted.<p><b>O God, You will not despise.</b><br>This assurance highlights God's readiness to forgive and accept those who come to Him with genuine repentance. It contrasts with the rejection of insincere worship (<a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a>). The promise of acceptance foreshadows the New Testament revelation of grace through Jesus Christ, who embodies God's mercy and offers redemption to all who believe (<a href="/john/6-37.htm">John 6:37</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/51.htm">Psalm 51</a>, King David wrote this psalm as a prayer of repentance after being confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding his sin with Bathsheba.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/n/nathan_the_prophet.htm">Nathan the Prophet</a></b><br>The prophet who confronted David about his sin, leading to David's repentance and the writing of this psalm.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/bathsheba.htm">Bathsheba</a></b><br>The woman with whom David committed adultery, an event that led to the circumstances surrounding the writing of <a href="/bsb/psalms/51.htm">Psalm 51</a>.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where David reigned as king and where these events took place.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure to whom David directs his prayer of repentance, seeking forgiveness and restoration.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_true_sacrifice.htm">The Nature of True Sacrifice</a></b><br>God desires a heart that is genuinely repentant over mere ritualistic offerings. True sacrifice involves humility and acknowledgment of one's need for God's mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_a_contrite_heart.htm">The Value of a Contrite Heart</a></b><br>A contrite heart is one that is deeply sorrowful for sin and earnestly seeks God's forgiveness. This is the heart posture that God honors and does not despise.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_as_a_path_to_restoration.htm">Repentance as a Path to Restoration</a></b><br>Genuine repentance opens the door to restoration and renewed fellowship with God. It is a necessary step in the process of spiritual healing and growth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_unchanging_character.htm">God's Unchanging Character</a></b><br>God's willingness to accept a broken and contrite heart reflects His unchanging nature of mercy and grace. He is always ready to forgive those who come to Him in humility.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_humility_in_daily_life.htm">Practical Humility in Daily Life</a></b><br>Embracing a lifestyle of humility and repentance can transform our relationship with God and others. It involves daily acknowledging our shortcomings and relying on God's strength.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/51.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The</span> <span class="cmt_word">sacrifices of</span> God; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the sacrifices which God really values and desires. Are a broken spirit: <span class="cmt_word">a</span> <span class="cmt_word">broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.</span> "The contrite heart," says Hengstenberg, "denotes deep but soft and mild distress." It sets up no wild shriekings, no howls, like those of Oriental fanatics. But it nourishes a sorrow that is deep and persistent. The joy on account of forgiveness and <span class="accented">restoration</span> to favour does not exclude continued pain on account of past sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/51-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The sacrifices</span><br /><span class="heb">זִֽבְחֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(ziḇ·ḥê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2077.htm">Strong's 2077: </a> </span><span class="str2">A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִים֮</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[are] a broken</span><br /><span class="heb">נִשְׁבָּ֫רָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(niš·bā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7665.htm">Strong's 7665: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break, break in pieces</span><br /><br /><span class="word">spirit;</span><br /><span class="heb">ר֪וּחַ</span> <span class="translit">(rū·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a broken</span><br /><span class="heb">נִשְׁבָּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(niš·bār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7665.htm">Strong's 7665: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break, break in pieces</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a contrite</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנִדְכֶּ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·niḏ·keh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1794.htm">Strong's 1794: </a> </span><span class="str2">To collapse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heart,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵב־</span> <span class="translit">(lêḇ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O God,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You will not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">despise.</span><br /><span class="heb">תִבְזֶֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiḇ·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_959.htm">Strong's 959: </a> </span><span class="str2">To disesteem</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/51-17.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/51-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 51:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 51:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/51-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 51:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 51:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>