King James Version

What Does Psalms 40:6 Mean?

Psalms 40:6 in the King James Version says “Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not ...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. opened: Heb. digged”

Psalms 40:6 · KJV

Context

4

Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

5

Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. they cannot: or, none can order them unto thee

6

Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. opened: Heb. digged

7

Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

8

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. within: Heb. in the midst of my bowels

Read Psalms 40 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. This verse, quoted extensively in Hebrews 10:5-7, represents a watershed moment in biblical theology—the subordination of ritual sacrifice to obedient relationship. David doesn't condemn sacrifice (he participated in temple worship), but he recognizes that God values heart obedience above ceremonial performance. This theme appears throughout prophetic literature (1 Samuel 15:22, Isaiah 1:11-17, Hosea 6:6, Micah 6:6-8).

'Thou didst not desire' (lo chafatzta, לֹא־חָפַצְתָּ) and 'hast thou not required' (lo sha'alta, לֹא שָׁאָלְתָּ) establish that while God instituted the sacrificial system, His ultimate desire transcends ritual. He wants the heart reality that sacrifice symbolizes—repentance, faith, devotion, obedience. External ceremony without internal reality is worthless; God wants truth 'in the inward parts' (Psalm 51:6).

'Mine ears hast thou opened' (oznayim karita li, אָזְנַיִם כָּרִיתָ לִּי) is variously interpreted. The Hebrew karah can mean 'to dig' or 'to open.' Some see reference to Exodus 21:6, where a servant who chooses lifelong service has his ear pierced with an awl—symbolizing permanent commitment. Others see it as metaphor for receptive, obedient hearing. The Septuagint translates it 'a body hast thou prepared me' (quoted in Hebrews 10:5), interpreting it as God preparing a body for incarnational obedience—Christ's body prepared for sacrifice.

The verse lists four sacrifice categories—zebach (זֶבַח, peace/fellowship offering), minchah (מִנְחָה, grain offering), olah (עֹלָה, burnt offering), and chattah (חַטָּאָה, sin offering)—covering the entire sacrificial system. None of these, in themselves, satisfy God's ultimate desire. He wants obedient servants with open ears, ready to hear and do His will. Jesus perfectly fulfilled this—He came to do the Father's will (John 6:38), was obedient unto death (Philippians 2:8), and became the final sacrifice that ended all sacrifices (Hebrews 10:10-14).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The tension between sacrifice and obedience runs throughout Israel's history. The prophets repeatedly confronted empty ritualism—offering sacrifices while practicing injustice, maintaining ceremonies while violating covenant, performing rituals while harboring idolatry. Samuel rebuked Saul: 'Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams' (1 Samuel 15:22).

Isaiah condemned worship that lacked justice: 'To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD... bring no more vain oblations... your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean... cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow' (Isaiah 1:11-17). God doesn't reject sacrifice per se but sacrifice divorced from righteousness. He wants both outer ceremony and inner reality.

The post-exilic period highlighted this tension. After Babylon destroyed the temple and ended sacrifices, Jews discovered they could relate to God without temple rituals. Synagogues emerged emphasizing Scripture reading, prayer, and obedience. Though temple worship resumed after the exile, the prophetic critique of empty ritualism continued. By Jesus's time, the sacrificial system had become corrupt commerce (John 2:14-16), and Jesus's cleansing of the temple signaled coming judgment.

Hebrews 10:5-10 interprets this psalm christologically. When Christ entered the world, He came to fulfill what sacrifice symbolized—perfect obedience unto death. His once-for-all sacrifice rendered the old system obsolete (Hebrews 10:9). The torn temple veil at Christ's death symbolized access to God no longer depending on animal sacrifices but on Christ's blood. Christians now offer 'spiritual sacrifices' (1 Peter 2:5)—praise, service, obedience—grounded in Christ's completed work.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways might you be offering God religious 'sacrifices' while withholding obedient hearing?
  2. What does it mean practically to have 'ears opened' to God's voice and will?
  3. How does Christ's perfect obedience fulfilling this verse deepen your understanding of His sacrifice?
  4. What 'spiritual sacrifices' is God calling you to offer based on Christ's completed work?
  5. How can you ensure your worship involves both outer expression and inner heart reality?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
זֶ֤בַח1 of 11

“Sacrifice”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

וּמִנְחָ֨ה׀2 of 11

“and offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

לֹֽא3 of 11
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חָפַ֗צְתָּ4 of 11

“thou didst not desire”

H2654

properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

אָ֭זְנַיִם5 of 11

“mine ears”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

כָּרִ֣יתָ6 of 11

“hast thou opened”

H3738

properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot; generally, to bore or open

לִּ֑י7 of 11
H0
עוֹלָ֥ה8 of 11

“burnt offering”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וַ֝חֲטָאָ֗ה9 of 11

“and sin offering”

H2401

an offence, or a sacrifice for it

לֹ֣א10 of 11
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָׁאָֽלְתָּ׃11 of 11

“hast thou not required”

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 40:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 40:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 10:5-12Isaiah 1:111 Samuel 15:22Psalms 51:16Hosea 6:6Matthew 9:13

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