New English Translation
Psalms 51:16
16Certainly you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it; you do not desire a burnt sacrifice.
Psalms 51:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
- New International Version (NIV)You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
Context of Psalms 51:16
14Rescue me from the guilt of murder, O God, the God who delivers me! Then my tongue will shout for joy because of your deliverance. 15O Lord, give me the words! Then my mouth will praise you. Certainly you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it; you do not desire a burnt sacrifice. 17The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit – O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject. 18Because you favor Zion, do what is good for her! Fortify the walls of Jerusalem!
Read all of Psalms 51Psalms 51:16 word by word
כִּ֤י׀ לֹא־תַחְפֹּ֣ץ זֶ֣בַח וְאֶתֵּ֑נָה ע֝וֹלָ֗ה לֹ֣א תִרְצֶֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 51:16
- Psalms 51:6Look, you desire integrity in the inner man; you want me to possess wisdom.
- Exodus 21:14But if a man willfully attacks his neighbor to kill him cunningly, you will take him even from my altar that he may die.
- Numbers 15:27“‘If any person sins unintentionally, then he must bring a yearling female goat for a purification offering.
- Numbers 35:31Moreover, you must not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death; he must surely be put to death.
- Deuteronomy 22:22If a man is caught having sexual relations with a married woman both the man who had relations with the woman and the woman herself must die; in this way you will purge evil from Israel.
- Hosea 6:6For I delight in faithfulness, not simply in sacrifice; I delight in acknowledging God, not simply in whole burnt offerings.
- Psalms 40:6Receiving sacrifices and offerings are not your primary concern. You make that quite clear to me! You do not ask for burnt sacrifices and sin offerings.
- Psalms 50:8I am not condemning you because of your sacrifices, or because of your burnt sacrifices that you continually offer me.
- Proverbs 15:8The Lord abhors the sacrifices of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
- Proverbs 21:27The wicked person’s sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent!
- Isaiah 1:11“Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I am stuffed with burnt sacrifices of rams and the fat from steers. The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats I do not want.
- Jeremiah 7:22Consider this: When I spoke to your ancestors after I brought them out of Egypt, I did not merely give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices.
- Amos 5:21“I absolutely despise your festivals! I get no pleasure from your religious assemblies!
- Hebrews 10:5So when he came into the world, he said, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me.
Commentaries on Psalms 51:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16For thou desirest not sacrifice - This is the same sentiment which he delivers in Psalm 40:6; (note), etc., where see the notes. There may be here, however, a farther meaning: Crimes, like mine, are not to be expiated by any sacrifices that the law requires; nor hast thou appointed in the law any sacrifices to atone for deliberate murder and adultery: if thou hadst, I would cheerfully have given them to thee. The matter is before thee as Judge.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16For thou desirest not sacrifice - On the words rendered in this verse “sacrifice” and “burnt-offering,” see the notes at Isaiah 1:11. On the main sentiment here expressed - that God did not “desire” such sacrifices - see the notes at Psalm 40:6-8. The idea here is, that any mere external offering, however precious or costly it might be, was not what God required in such cases. He demanded the expression of deep and sincere repentance; the sacrifices of…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-19Verses 16-19 Those who are thoroughly convinced of their misery and danger by sin, would spare no cost to obtain the remission of it. But as they cannot make satisfaction for sin, so God cannot take any satisfaction in them, otherwise than as expressing love and duty to him. The good work wrought in every true penitent, is a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart, and sorrow for sin. It is a heart that is tender, and pliable to God's word. Oh that…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-19This 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).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. Praise is better than sacrifice (Psa 50:14), and implying faith, penitence, and love, glorifies God. In true penitents the joys of pardon mingle with sorrow for sin.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 51:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 51
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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