King James Version

What Does Psalms 51:17 Mean?

Psalms 51:17 in the King James Version says “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 51 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Psalms 51:17 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

15

O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. else: or, that I should

17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19

Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Read Psalms 51 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. This verse concludes the penitential section before David's intercessory prayer for Jerusalem (vv.18-19). It reveals what God truly desires: not external ritual but internal reality—genuine brokenness over sin and humble contrition before His holiness.

"The sacrifices of God" (זִבְחֵי אֱלֹהִים/zivche Elohim) uses plural 'sacrifices'—but then defines them as singular spiritual realities rather than multiple animal offerings. David has already acknowledged (v.16) that God doesn't desire animal sacrifices for his sin—adultery and murder had no prescribed ceremonial atonement. He must appeal beyond the ritual system to God's heart, offering what God truly values.

"Are a broken spirit" (רוּחַ נִשְׁבָּרָה/ruach nishbarah) identifies the true sacrifice God accepts. Shabar (broken, shattered, crushed) describes something violently broken into pieces—shattered pottery, crushed bones, demolished walls. A broken spirit is thoroughly humbled, crushed under the weight of sin's guilt, shattered by recognition of offending infinite holiness. This isn't mere regret over consequences but deep sorrow for rebellion against God.

"A broken and a contrite heart" (לֵב־נִשְׁבָּר וְנִדְכֶּה/lev-nishbar venidkeh) parallels and intensifies the first phrase. Lev (heart) is the personality's center; nishbar (broken) repeats from the previous phrase; nidkeh (contrite, crushed, humbled) adds the sense of being ground to powder, thoroughly humbled. Together these words picture complete brokenness—no pride, no self-justification, no excuse-making, only humble acknowledgment of guilt and desperate plea for mercy.

"O God, thou wilt not despise" (אֱלֹהִים לֹא תִבְזֶה/Elohim lo tivzeh) declares God's gracious response. Bazah (despise, reject, treat with contempt) is negated: God will NOT reject the broken and contrite heart. Though He resists the proud and rejects mere external religiosity, He responds graciously to genuine humility and contrition. This echoes Isaiah 57:15: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.'

This transforms understanding of sacrifice. True sacrifice isn't giving God something we value (animals, grain, money) but offering ourselves—specifically, offering broken, humble hearts acknowledging our unworthiness and dependence on His grace. God desires truth in the inward parts (v.6), not external conformity. He accepts those who come broken, rejecting those who come proud.

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Historical & Cultural Context

David's theology anticipated prophetic critiques of empty ritualism. Samuel told Saul, 'to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams' (1 Samuel 15:22). Isaiah condemned Israel's multiplied sacrifices when accompanied by injustice and unrepentant sin (Isaiah 1:10-17). Hosea declared God's preference: 'I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings' (Hosea 6:6). Jesus quoted this verse twice (Matthew 9:13, 12:7), emphasizing mercy over ritual.

The prophets weren't rejecting the sacrificial system per se but condemning its abuse—treating ritual as mechanical means to manipulate God while ignoring moral requirements and heart attitude. Sacrifices were meant to express repentance, faith, and devotion; when they became substitutes for these realities, God rejected them. David grasped this truth: God wants hearts, not merely ceremonies.

Jesus's parable of the Pharisee and publican illustrates this principle (Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisee trusted his religious performance, boasting before God. The publican, aware of his unworthiness, beat his breast crying, 'God be merciful to me a sinner.' Jesus declared the publican went home justified, not the Pharisee. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5).

The New Testament develops this theology. Romans 12:1 calls believers to 'present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.' True worship isn't animal sacrifices but self-offering—lives wholly devoted to God. Hebrews 13:15-16 describes sacrifices pleasing to God: praise, confession of His name, doing good, and sharing. These spiritual sacrifices replace Old Covenant animal offerings.

Throughout church history, this verse has shaped Protestant theology particularly. The Reformers emphasized salvation by grace through faith, not works or ritual. External religiosity—pilgrimages, indulgences, penance—can't earn salvation. God desires broken, contrite hearts trusting Christ alone. This verse justified rejecting merit theology and embracing sola gratia (grace alone). True religion is heart religion; genuine faith produces humble, broken spirits acknowledging complete dependence on divine mercy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse critique empty ritualism and external religiosity that lacks genuine heart repentance?
  2. What does it mean to have a 'broken and contrite heart,' and why does God value this above all external offerings?
  3. How does Jesus's parable of the Pharisee and publican (Luke 18:9-14) illustrate the truth that God accepts humble, broken hearts while rejecting proud, self-righteous ones?
  4. In what ways might contemporary Christianity emphasize external performance or ritual while neglecting the broken, contrite heart God desires?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
זִֽבְחֵ֣י1 of 10

“The sacrifices”

H2077

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

אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים2 of 10

“O God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

ר֤וּחַ3 of 10

“spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

נִשְׁבָּ֥ר4 of 10

“a broken”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

לֵב5 of 10

“heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

נִשְׁבָּ֥ר6 of 10

“a broken”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

וְנִדְכֶּ֑ה7 of 10

“and a contrite”

H1794

to collapse (phys. or mentally)

אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים8 of 10

“O God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לֹ֣א9 of 10
H3808

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

תִבְזֶֽה׃10 of 10

“thou wilt not despise”

H959

to disesteem

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 51:17 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 51:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 34:18Isaiah 66:2Psalms 147:3Luke 15:10Mark 12:33Matthew 5:3

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