Working for God. With a conscience set free from guilt, with a heart renewed by the Spirit of God, and full of thankfulness for God's great mercy, he cannot keep silent, but will seek to turn other sinners to God. The thirty-second psalm shows how this resolution was kept. I. HE WHO BY HIS EXAMPLE HAD TAUGHT OTHERS TO SIN WILL NOW SEEK TO CONVERT THEM TO THE WAY OF OBEDIENCE . ( Psalms 51:13 .) To the ways of God's commandment. We cannot undo... read more
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it. If there had been any sacrifices which God desired or required for such offences as adultery and murder, David would have willingly offered them. But there were none. As Hammond observes, "The Mosaical Law allows no reconciliation, no sacrifice, for such sins." Thou delightest not in burnt offering. In the mere act of sacrifice—the untimely slaying of his own creatures—God could at no time have had any pleasure. His satisfaction... read more
The sacrifices of God; i.e. the sacrifices which God really values and desires. Are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. "The contrite heart," says Hengstenberg, "denotes deep but soft and mild distress." It sets up no wild shriekings, no howls, like those of Oriental fanatics. But it nourishes a sorrow that is deep and persistent. The joy on account of forgiveness and restoration to favour does not exclude continued pain on account of past... read more
The sacrifices of God, etc. We may call this psalm "the penitents prayer-book.' The spectacle of a good man falling into open sin is a sight to make angels weep, especially a man so distinguished as David falling into sins so gross and flagrant. We are ready to ask why a veil of silence was not allowed to hide this shameful example. This psalm supplies a twofold answer: the record of David's profound humiliation and bitter repentance is a warning to those who "think they stand;" his humble... read more
For 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 Psalms 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 a contrite heart and of a broken... read more
The sacrifices of God - The sacrifices which God desires and approves; the sacrifices without which no other offering would be acceptable. David felt that that which he here specified was what was demanded in his case. He had grievously sinned; and the blood of animals offered in sacrifice could not put away his sin, nor could anything remove it unless the heart were itself penitent and contrite. The same thing is true now. Though a most perfect sacrifice, every way acceptable to God, has been... read more
Psalms 51:16-17. For thou desirest not sacrifice Which is not to be understood absolutely and universally, as appears from Psalms 51:19, but comparatively, (see on Psalms 40:6,) and with particular respect to David’s crimes of murder and adultery, which were not to be expiated by any sacrifice, but, according to the law of God, were to be punished with death. Thou requirest more and better sacrifices, namely, such as are mentioned Psalms 51:17. Else would I give it I should have spared no... read more
Psalms 51:0 David’s repentanceHaving committed adultery with Bathsheba, David then arranged for her husband Uriah to be killed, so that he could take Bathsheba as a royal wife (2 Samuel 11:1-27). The prophet Nathan found out David’s sin, condemned him to his face, then pronounced God’s judgment upon him (2 Samuel 12:1-15). This psalm displays David’s deep sorrow as he confesses his sin to God.David makes no excuses. He acknowledges his sin and realizes that he can do nothing to receive... read more
desirest not. Because death was the penalty. Was the child's life the substitute? read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:13-17
The psalmist now turns from prayer to promise. If God will grant his petitions, restore him to favour, and renew his spiritual life, then he will make such return as is possible to him. First, he will teach transgressors God's ways ( Psalms 51:13 ). Next, he will extol his righteousness, and show forth his praise( Psalms 51:14 , Psalms 51:15 ). Finally, he will offer him, not bloody sacrifice, but the sacrifice in which he delights—"the sacrifice of a broken spirit, a broken and contrite... read more