New Living Translation
Psalms 51:16
16You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.
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
14Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. 15Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. 17The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. 18Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild 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 51:6But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.
- Exodus 21:14However, if someone deliberately kills another person, then the slayer must be dragged even from my altar and be put to death.
- Numbers 15:27“If one individual commits an unintentional sin, the guilty person must bring a one-year-old female goat for a sin offering.
- Numbers 35:31Also, you must never accept a ransom payment for the life of someone judged guilty of murder and subject to execution; murderers must always be put to death.
- Deuteronomy 22:22“If a man is discovered committing adultery, both he and the woman must die. In this way, you will purge Israel of such evil.
- Hosea 6:6I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.
- Psalms 40:6You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
- Psalms 50:8I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
- Proverbs 15:8The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
- Proverbs 21:27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.
- Isaiah 1:11“What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
- Jeremiah 7:22When I led your ancestors out of Egypt, it was not burnt offerings and sacrifices I wanted from them.
- Amos 5:21“I hate all your show and pretense— the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.
- Hebrews 10:5That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer.
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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