Psalms 51:18-19

51:18 Because you favor Zion, do what is good for her! ¹ 

Fortify ²  the walls of Jerusalem! ³ 

51:19 Then you will accept ⁴  the proper sacrifices, burnt sacrifices and whole offerings;

then bulls will be sacrificed ⁵  on your altar. ⁶ 

[51:18]  ¹ tn Heb “do what is good for Zion in your favor.”

[51:18]  ² tn Or “Build.” The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.

[51:18]  ³ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[51:19]  ⁴ tn Or “desire, take delight in.”

[51:19]  ⁵ tn Heb “then they will offer up bulls.” The third plural subject is indefinite.

[51:19]  ⁶ 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.