Psalms 51:16 - Exposition

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 could only arise from the spirit in which sacrifices were offered—the gratitude, devotion, self-renunciation, obedience, of those who approached him with them (comp. Psalms 40:6 ; Psalms 50:8-13 ; Isaiah 1:11-17 , etc.).