Berean Standard Bible

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”

Psalms 51:17

Study note

Near the end of Psalm 51, David reflects on what kind of offering God really wants. Under the law of Moses there was no sacrifice prescribed for deliberate sins like adultery and murder, so David could not simply bring an animal to the altar.

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Isaiah 57:15For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 66:2Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,”declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.
Luke 18:13But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’
1 Samuel 15:22But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.

Compare translations

Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

World English Bible (WEB)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

King James Version (KJV)

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

American Standard Version (ASV)

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

Bible in Basic English (BBE)

The offerings of God are a broken spirit; a broken and sorrowing heart, O God, you will not put from you.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

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Reina-Valera 1909 (RVR 1909)

Los sacrificios de Dios son el espíritu quebrantado: al corazón contrito y humillado no despreciarás tú, oh Dios.

Sagradas Escrituras 1569 (SE 1569)

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Nueva Biblia Viva (NBV)

Lo que quieres es un espíritu quebrantado. Al corazón quebrantado y contrito, Dios, no lo despreciarás tú.

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Psalms 51:17

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