Psalms 51:18-19

51:18 Because you favor Zion, do what is good for her!

Fortify the walls of Jerusalem!

51:19 Then you will accept the proper sacrifices, burnt sacrifices and whole offerings;

then bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.


tn Heb “do what is good for Zion in your favor.”

tn Or “Build.” The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.

map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

tn Or “desire, take delight in.”

tn Heb “then they will offer up bulls.” The third plural subject is indefinite.

sn Verses 18-19 appear to reflect the exilic period, when the city’s walls lay in ruins and the sacrificial system had been disrupted.