New International Version
Psalms 51:16
16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.
Context of Psalms 51:16
14Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. 18May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up 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 51:6Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
- Exodus 21:14But if anyone schemes and kills someone deliberately, that person is to be taken from my altar and put to death.
- Numbers 15:27“ ‘But if just one person sins unintentionally, that person must bring a year-old female goat for a sin offering.
- Numbers 35:31“ ‘Do not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer, who deserves to die. They are to be put to death.
- Deuteronomy 22:22If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.
- Hosea 6:6For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
- Psalms 40:6Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
- Psalms 50:8I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
- Proverbs 15:8The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
- Proverbs 21:27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with evil intent!
- Isaiah 1:11“The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
- Jeremiah 7:22For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices,
- Amos 5:21“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me.
- Hebrews 10:5Therefore, when Christ 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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