Psalms 51:17-19

Context

51:17 The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit¹ –

O God, a humble and repentant heart² you will not reject.³

51:18 Because you favor Zion, do what is good for her!⁴

Fortify⁵ the walls of Jerusalem!⁶

51:19 Then you will accept⁷ the proper sacrifices, burnt sacrifices and whole offerings;

then bulls will be sacrificed⁸ on your altar.⁹

[51:17] ¹tn Heb “a broken spirit.”

[51:17] ²tn Heb “a broken and crushed heart.”

[51:17] ³tn Or “despise.”

[51:18] ⁴tn Heb “do what is good for Zion in your favor.”

[51:18] ⁵tn Or “Build.” The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.

[51:19] ⁷tn Or “desire, take delight in.”

[51:19] ⁸tn Heb “then they will offer up bulls.” The third plural subject is indefinite.

[51:19] ⁹sn Verses 18-19 appear to reflect the exilic period, when the city’s walls lay in ruins and the sacrificial system had been disrupted.