Psalms 51:19

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.

Then shalt thou be pleased {H2654}{H8799)} with the sacrifices {H2077} of righteousness {H6664}, with burnt offering {H5930} and whole {H3632} burnt offering {H5930}: then shall they offer {H5927}{H8686)} bullocks {H6499} upon thine altar {H4196}.

Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then they will offer bulls on your altar.

Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, in whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.

Then wilt thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, In burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering: Then will they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Psalms 51:19 stands as a powerful conclusion to David’s deeply penitential prayer, outlining the restoration of acceptable worship after genuine repentance. This verse signifies that once a sinner’s heart is transformed and made right with God, the external acts of devotion and sacrifice become truly pleasing to the Lord.

Context

This verse follows David’s profound confession of sin and his plea for cleansing and restoration in Psalm 51. Earlier in the psalm, specifically in verses 16 and 17, David acknowledges that God does not desire mere ritualistic sacrifices but rather "a broken and a contrite heart." The physical offerings of the Mosaic Law were insufficient on their own to atone for deep sin without a corresponding change of heart. Therefore, verse 19 presents a conditional promise: "Then shalt thou be pleased..." meaning that once the spiritual prerequisites (repentance, cleansing, and a renewed spirit) are met, the physical acts of worship will again find favor with God.

Key Themes

  • The Priority of the Heart: The verse highlights that true worship and acceptable sacrifices originate from a heart made righteous by God's grace, not from outward ceremony alone. This theme is echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Samuel 15:22, where obedience is valued above sacrifice.
  • Restoration of Acceptable Worship: After the cleansing and renewal prayed for in previous verses, David anticipates a time when the traditional sacrifices – "burnt offering and whole burnt offering" – will once again be acceptable to God. This signifies a restoration of the covenant relationship and the joy of fellowship.
  • Sacrifices of Righteousness: The phrase "sacrifices of righteousness" (Hebrew: zivchei-tzedek) is crucial. It differentiates these offerings from those made out of mere ritual or obligation. These are sacrifices that spring from a state of rightness, integrity, and a restored relationship with God, making the external act meaningful and pleasing.

Linguistic Insights

The term "sacrifices of righteousness" (Hebrew: zivchei-tzedek) is particularly significant. It implies that the offerings are not just sacrifices, but sacrifices *of* righteousness, meaning they are offered *from* a righteous state or *as* an act of righteousness. This emphasizes the internal disposition of the worshiper rather than just the external act. The "burnt offering" (olah) and "whole burnt offering" (kalil) were significant offerings in Israelite worship, often symbolizing complete dedication and atonement. Their acceptance here is contingent on the worshiper's internal state.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 51:19 teaches us that our acts of worship, service, and giving are truly pleasing to God when they flow from a heart that has genuinely repented and seeks to live in righteousness. It reminds us that God values our transformed character more than our outward religious performance. As New Testament believers, our "sacrifices of righteousness" can include presenting our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), offering sacrifices of praise (Hebrews 13:15), and doing good to others. These spiritual sacrifices, born from a heart made right with God, are what truly delight Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 4:5

    Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

  • Malachi 3:3

    And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

  • Ephesians 5:2

    And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

  • Romans 12:1

    ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

  • Psalms 66:13

    ¶ I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,

  • Psalms 66:15

    I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.

  • Psalms 118:27

    God [is] the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, [even] unto the horns of the altar.

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