The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God isn't looking for elaborate rituals or grand gestures to "fix" things with Him. What He truly desires is a heart that's been deeply humbled and wounded by sin, a spirit that recognizes its brokenness and seeks Him out of genuine remorse. This kind of inner transformation is the most valuable offering we can bring.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After David’s devastating sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, he is confronted by the prophet Nathan and utterly broken before God. He's confessed his sin and pleaded for mercy, acknowledging that animal sacrifices, which were central to Israelite worship, cannot truly atone for a transgression of this magnitude. In this context, David declares that a contrite heart is the only offering God truly desires and will accept.
In ancient Israel, sacrifices were a central part of worship. But what happens when those aren't enough? David reveals God's deeper longing.
The Limits of Ritual
In David's time, the Law commanded various sacrifices – burnt offerings, grain offerings, etc. These were meant to cover sin, express devotion, and maintain fellowship with God. However, David, after his profound sin with Bathsheba and Uriah, recognizes that his actions have gone too deep for these outward rituals to suffice on their own.
He declares, "For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you would not accept a burnt offering." (Psalm 51:16). This isn't a rejection of the Law's prescribed worship, but a revelation that God's true desire goes beyond the physical act. The prescribed sacrifices pointed to something more profound, something that had to happen within the worshiper.
God's True Offering
So, what does God desire? David answers in the very next phrase: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." God desires the inner reality – a heart that is genuinely grieved, humbled, and remorseful over sin. This isn't about outward performance, but inward transformation. This 'brokenness' isn't weakness in God's eyes, but a powerful, authentic response to His holiness and our sin.
We often hear about a 'broken heart,' but what does that really mean in God's economy? David describes a specific kind of brokenness He treasures.
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More Than Just Sadness
The verse uses two powerful words: 'broken' (nishbarah) and 'contrite' (nidkeh). These aren't just synonyms for feeling sad or sorry.
God's Gentle Acceptance
These intense descriptions might sound like something anyone would want to avoid. Yet, David asserts, "you will not despise." This is a strong positive affirmation disguised as a negative. It means God highly values, esteems, and accepts such a heart. While the world might overlook or discard something broken, God sees the profound spiritual reality. He doesn't look for perfection, but for authenticity – a heart that has been genuinely wounded by sin and turns to Him in humble repentance.
Understand the original words
shabar · Hebrew Adjective
A state of deep humility and repentance, where one recognizes their own inability to please God on their own merits and is fully surrendered to His will.
nidkeh · Hebrew Adjective
A heart that is crushed by the weight of sin and genuine godly sorrow, leading to complete dependence upon God’s mercy.
bazah · Hebrew Verb
To reject, disregard, or hold in contempt; the psalmist appeals that God will not treat his repentant state with such disdain.
This psalm is a deeply personal confession following King David's grave sins of adultery and murder. It highlights that in moments of profound realization of sin, outward religious rituals are secondary to a truly repentant and humbled heart, which God values above all else.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Sin with Bathsheba
King David commits adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrates the death of her husband, Uriah.
c. 1000 BC
Nathan Confronts David
The prophet Nathan confronts David with his sin, using a parable to expose his wrongdoing.
c. 1000 BC
David's Repentance
David expresses deep remorse and penitence for his sins, leading to the writing of Psalm 51.
c. 970 BC
David's Death
David dies, leaving a legacy of both great faith and significant sin.
This passage speaks of God dwelling with those who are humble and contrite in spirit, echoing the value God places on a broken heart.
Luke 18:9-14Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, highlighting that the humble, contrite tax collector was justified, not the self-righteous Pharisee, illustrating God's acceptance of brokenness over pride.
Matthew 11:28-30Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising rest for their souls, connecting His work to the relief and peace that follows a broken and contrite spirit.
Psalm 34:18This verse directly states that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit, reinforcing the idea that God doesn't despise but draws near to such individuals.
1 Samuel 15:22This passage emphasizes that obedience and repentance are more valued by God than sacrifices, aligning with the idea that a contrite heart is the true offering.
gillPsalms 51:17: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,.... That is humbled under a sense of sin; has true repentance for it; is smitten, wounded, and broken with it, by the word of God in the hand of the Spirit, which is a hammer to break the rock in pieces; and that not merely in a legal, but in an evangelical way; grieving for sin as committed against a God of love; broken and melted do…
poolePsalms 51:17: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
The sacrifices: this is instead of or of more value than many sacrifices. Of God; which God in such cases as mine requires, and will accept; in which sense we read of the work of God , John 6:28 . A broken and a contrite heart, i.e. a heart deeply afflicted and grieved for sin, humbled under the sense of God’s displeasure, and earnestly seeking and willing to accept of reconci…
God isn't looking for elaborate rituals or grand gestures to "fix" things with Him. What He truly desires is a heart that's been deeply humbled and wounded by sin, a spirit that recognizes its brokenness and seeks Him out of genuine remorse. This kind of inner transformation is the most valuable offering we can bring.
After David’s devastating sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, he is confronted by the prophet Nathan and utterly broken before God. He's confessed his sin and pleaded for mercy, acknowledging that animal sacrifices, which were central to Israelite worship, cannot truly atone for a transgression of this magnitude. In this context, David declares that a contrite heart is the only offering God truly desires and will accept.
After David’s devastating sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, he is confronted by the prophet Nathan and utterly broken before God. He's confessed his sin and pleaded for mercy, acknowledging that animal sacrifices, which were central to Israelite worship, cannot truly atone for a transgression of this magnitude. In this context, David declares that a contrite heart is the only offering God truly desires and will accept.
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." — God isn't looking for elaborate rituals or grand gestures to "fix" things with Him. What He truly desires is a heart that's been deeply humbled and wounded by sin, a spirit that recognizes its broken…
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Last reviewed October 2026