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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 51:16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/51-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/19_Psa_051_016.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 51:16 - Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings." /><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/51-16.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/51-16.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 16</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="/ad16.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/51-15.htm" title="Psalm 51:15">◄</a> Psalm 51:16 <a href="/psalms/51-17.htm" title="Psalm 51:17">►</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 />You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/51.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/51.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/51.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/51.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give <i>it</i>: thou delightest not in burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/51.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give <i>it;</i> You do not delight in burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/51.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/51.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/51.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/51.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/51.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For You do not delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/51.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; you are not pleased with a burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/51.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; You are not pleased with a burnt offering. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/51.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For thou delightest not in sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/51.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Offerings and sacrifices are not what you want. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/51.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For thou delightest not in sacrifice; else would I give it: thou hast no pleasure in burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/51.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You are not happy with any sacrifice. Otherwise, I would offer one [to you]. You are not pleased with burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/51.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You do not want sacrifices, or I would offer them; you are not pleased with burnt offerings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/51.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Indeed, you do not delight in sacrifices, or I would give them, nor do you desire burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/51.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/51.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Certainly you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it; you do not desire a burnt sacrifice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/51.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For you do not delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/51.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For thou desirest not sacrifice: else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt-offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/51.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For you don’t delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/51.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For You do not desire sacrifice, or I give [it], "" You do not accept burnt-offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/51.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I give it, Burnt-offering Thou acceptest not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/51.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For thou wilt not delight in sacrifice, and thou wilt not take pleasure in burnt-offering.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/51.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/51.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 50:18>For if you had desired sacrifice, I would certainly have given it, but with holocausts, you will not be delighted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/51.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For you do not desire sacrifice or I would give it; a burnt offering you would not accept. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/51.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/51.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For thou desirest not sacrifice; thou &lightest not in burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/51.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because you have not desired sacrifices, neither have you chosen burnt offerings.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/51.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For Thou delightest not in sacrifice, else would I give it; Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/51.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For if thou desiredst sacrifice, I would have given <i>it</i>: thou wilt not take pleasure in whole-burnt-offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/51-16.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=6148" 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">15</span>O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</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 do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2654.htm" title="2654: ṯaḥ·pōṣ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to incline to; by implication to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire.">delight</a> <a href="/hebrew/2077.htm" title="2077: ze·ḇaḥ (N-ms) -- A sacrifice. From zabach; properly, a slaughter, i.e. The flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice.">in sacrifice,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wə·’et·tê·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">or I would bring it;</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7521.htm" title="7521: ṯir·ṣeh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To be pleased with, accept favorably. A primitive root; to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt.">You take no pleasure</a> <a href="/hebrew/5930.htm" title="5930: ‘ō·w·lāh (N-fs) -- Whole burnt offering. Or mowlah; feminine active participle of alah; a step or; usually a holocaust.">in burnt offerings.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.…<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/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11</a></span><br />“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.<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="/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="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a></span><br />“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-21.htm">Jeremiah 7:21-23</a></span><br />This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! / For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not merely command them about burnt offerings and sacrifices, / but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3</a></span><br />To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.<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="/mark/12-33.htm">Mark 12:33</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-5.htm">Hebrews 10:5-8</a></span><br />Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. / In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. / Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7</a></span><br />If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Psalm 40:6-8</a></span><br />Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require. / Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll: / I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”<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="/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3</a></span><br />If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/66-3.htm">Isaiah 66:3</a></span><br />Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For you desire not sacrifice; else would I give it: you delight not in burnt offering.</p><p class="hdg">desirest</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/51-6.htm">Psalm 51:6</a></b></br> Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden <i>part</i> thou shalt make me to know wisdom.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-14.htm">Exodus 21:14</a></b></br> But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/15-27.htm">Numbers 15:27,30,31</a></b></br> And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering… </p><p class="hdg">else would I.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Psalm 40:6</a></b></br> Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-8.htm">Psalm 50:8</a></b></br> I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, <i>to have been</i> continually before me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/15-8.htm">Proverbs 15:8</a></b></br> The sacrifice of the wicked <i>is</i> an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright <i>is</i> his delight.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/20-21.htm">Acceptest</a> <a href="/psalms/50-8.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/psalms/50-8.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Burnt-Offering</a> <a href="/psalms/44-3.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/psalms/41-11.htm">Delightest</a> <a href="/psalms/51-6.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/psalms/51-6.htm">Desirest</a> <a href="/psalms/50-14.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/psalms/50-14.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/psalms/38-16.htm">Otherwise</a> <a href="/psalms/50-18.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/psalms/50-18.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/psalms/50-23.htm">Sacrifice</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/2-9.htm">Acceptest</a> <a href="/psalms/51-19.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/psalms/51-19.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/psalms/51-19.htm">Burnt-Offering</a> <a href="/psalms/51-19.htm">Delight</a> <a href="/songs/1-7.htm">Delightest</a> <a href="/psalms/52-7.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/psalms/51-19.htm">Desirest</a> <a href="/psalms/51-19.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/psalms/51-17.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-8.htm">Otherwise</a> <a href="/psalms/51-19.htm">Pleased</a> <a href="/psalms/51-18.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/psalms/51-17.htm">Sacrifice</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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In the Old Testament, sacrifices were a central part of worship and atonement (Leviticus 1-7). However, this verse emphasizes that God values the sincerity of the heart more than the act of sacrifice itself. This is echoed in <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a>, where Samuel tells Saul that obedience is better than sacrifice. The prophetic books, such as <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a>, also stress that God desires mercy and acknowledgment of Him rather than burnt offerings. This reflects a consistent biblical theme that God seeks a relationship with His people, not just religious observance.<p><b>or I would bring it</b><br>David, the psalmist, acknowledges his willingness to offer sacrifices if that were what God truly desired. This reflects David’s understanding of the sacrificial system and his readiness to comply with it. However, he recognizes that external acts cannot substitute for internal transformation. This sentiment is mirrored in <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a>, where the prophet questions what offerings would please God and concludes that God requires justice, mercy, and humility. David’s statement here is a personal admission of his understanding of God’s priorities.<p><b>You take no pleasure in burnt offerings</b><br>Burnt offerings were a significant part of the sacrificial system, symbolizing atonement and dedication to God (Leviticus 1). Despite their importance, this phrase underscores that God’s pleasure is not in the offerings themselves but in the heart of the worshiper. <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a> criticizes the people for their empty rituals, emphasizing that God desires righteousness and justice. This verse foreshadows the New Testament teaching that true worship is in spirit and truth (<a href="/john/4-23.htm">John 4:23-24</a>). It also points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law and the prophets, rendering the old sacrificial system obsolete (<a href="/hebrews/10-8.htm">Hebrews 10:8-10</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 heartfelt plea for mercy and forgiveness after his sin with Bathsheba was exposed by the prophet Nathan.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/bathsheba.htm">Bathsheba</a></b><br>The woman with whom David committed adultery, leading to a series of events that culminated in David's repentance and the writing of this psalm.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/n/nathan_the_prophet.htm">Nathan the Prophet</a></b><br>The prophet who confronted David about his sin, prompting David's repentance and the composition 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 the events leading to the writing of this psalm took place.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure to whom David directs his plea for mercy and forgiveness, acknowledging His sovereignty and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/true_repentance_over_rituals.htm">True Repentance Over Rituals</a></b><br><a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16</a> teaches that God values a heart of genuine repentance over mere ritualistic sacrifices. This calls us to examine our own hearts and ensure that our worship is sincere and not just a formality.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart_of_worship.htm">The Heart of Worship</a></b><br>The verse reminds us that God desires a relationship with us that is based on authenticity and humility. Our acts of worship should stem from a heart that seeks to honor God genuinely.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_desires.htm">Understanding God's Desires</a></b><br>By understanding that God does not delight in sacrifices alone, we learn that our actions should reflect a heart transformed by His grace. This challenges us to live out our faith in practical ways that align with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_sacrifices.htm">The Role of Sacrifices</a></b><br>While sacrifices were an important part of Old Testament worship, <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16</a> points to the deeper truth that they are not the end goal. Instead, they should lead us to a deeper understanding of our need for God's mercy and grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_a_life_of_repentance.htm">Living a Life of Repentance</a></b><br>This verse encourages us to live a life marked by continual repentance and reliance on God's mercy, recognizing that our own efforts are insufficient without a heart aligned with His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_51.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 51</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_jesus_both_god_and_man.htm">What defines a true worshiper?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_sacrifices_compare_in_psalms.htm">Psalm 4:5: How do sacrifices of righteousness compare to other biblical texts that claim God does not desire sacrifice (e.g., Psalm 51:16), creating potential inconsistency? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_the_law_based_on_faith_or_works.htm">Is the law based on faith or works?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_confessing_to_a_priest_biblical.htm">Is confessing sins to a priest biblically supported?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/51.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Sacrifice.</span>--The rabbinical commentators on this verse represent <span class= "ital">the penitence </span>of David as having taken the place of the <span class= "ital">sin-offering </span>prescribed by the Law. In the mouth of an individual, language with such an intention would not have been possible. To the nation exiled and deprived of the legal rites, and by that very deprivation compelled to look beyond their outward form to their inner spirit, the words are most appropriate.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/51.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it.</span> If there had been any sacrifices which God desired or required for such offences as adultery and murder, David would have willingly offered them. But there were none. As Hammond observes, "The Mosaical Law allows no reconciliation, no sacrifice, for such sins." <span class="cmt_word">Thou delightest not in burnt offering.</span> In the mere act of sacrifice - the untimely slaying of his own creatures - God could at no time have had any pleasure. His satisfaction could only arise from the spirit in which sacrifices were offered - the gratitude, devotion, self-renunciation, obedience, of those who approached him with them (comp. <a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Psalm 40:6</a>; <a href="/psalms/50-8.htm">Psalm 50:8-13</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a>, etc.). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/51-16.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">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י ׀</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</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">delight</span><br /><span class="heb">תַחְפֹּ֣ץ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯaḥ·pōṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2654.htm">Strong's 2654: </a> </span><span class="str2">To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in sacrifice,</span><br /><span class="heb">זֶ֣בַח</span> <span class="translit">(ze·ḇaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<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">or I would bring it;</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶתֵּ֑נָה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’et·tê·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You take no pleasure</span><br /><span class="heb">תִרְצֶֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṯir·ṣeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7521.htm">Strong's 7521: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be pleased with, to satisfy a, debt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in burnt offerings.</span><br /><span class="heb">ע֝וֹלָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·w·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5930.htm">Strong's 5930: </a> </span><span class="str2">Whole burnt offering</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 51:16 For you don't delight in sacrifice (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/51-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 51:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 51:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/51-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 51:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 51:17" /></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>