Psalm 51:16–17

Context

The superscription of Psalm 51 presents the poem as a song composed by David when the prophet Nathan rebuked him after he had lain with Bathsheba (the events are recounted in 2 Samuel 11–12). The psalm opens with a confession of sin and a plea for cleansing (vv. 1–12). The psalmist then resolves to teach transgressors God's ways and to praise Him (vv. 13–15). Verses 16–17 follow immediately upon this resolve and describe what true sacrifice offered to God is. The next verses, 18–19, declare that when God builds up the walls of Jerusalem, He will then be pleased with "the sacrifices of righteousness" and with burnt offerings. Because the Hebrew Bible includes the superscription in its verse numbering, this passage corresponds to verses 18–19 in the Hebrew text.

Interpretation

• As prophetic critique of sacrifice: This reading places the passage within the Old Testament tradition that rebukes sacrifice offered without heart, as in 1 Samuel 15, Micah 6:6–8, and Amos 5:21–23. It understands the passage not as a call to abolish the sacrificial system itself but as a statement that the heart takes precedence over sacrifice.
• As a statement of the limits of the Law: Some commentators note that deliberate sins such as David's adultery and murder could not be covered by the atoning sacrifices prescribed in the Law. They therefore read the psalmist as relying solely on God's mercy rather than on offerings.
• Read together with verses 18–19: Because verses 18–19 affirm sacrifice once again, many scholars regard that section as an addition made by the community around the time of the Exile. Those who read the psalm as the work of a single author, by contrast, understand it as describing a sequence: a repentant heart comes first, and the sacrifices offered afterward are accepted.
• Jewish reading: After the destruction of the Temple, rabbinic tradition handed down a teaching, based on this passage, that God regards a humble and broken heart as though one had offered all the sacrifices.
• Protestant reading: Martin Luther and John Calvin expounded Psalm 51 as a psalm of repentance and grace. In this tradition the "broken spirit" is understood not as a merit offered to God in repayment but as the place where grace is received. Some also connect the passage with the New Testament's "spiritual sacrifices" and regard Christians' praise and good works as sacrifices.

Questions of Application

The passage is sometimes cited as grounds for criticizing formalistic worship or giving. In response, some point out that verse 19 affirms sacrifice again and argue that using the passage to justify disregard for outward worship takes it out of context. Preachers also differ in emphasis on whether the "broken spirit" should be equated with emotional sorrow or understood as an attitude of self-humbling.

In the Korean Church

In the Korean church the passage is frequently cited in sermons and prayer meetings on the theme of repentance. In churches that follow the liturgical calendar, Psalm 51 is also read in services on Ash Wednesday and during Lent.

Related Passages

• Psalm 34:18
• Isaiah 57:15
• Hosea 6:6
• Hebrews 13:15–16
• 1 Peter 2:5