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

PSALMS 51:17KJV
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Psalms 51:17 (KJV)

What does Psalms 51:17 mean?

Psalms 51:17 says that what God truly values is not outward offerings, but an inner attitude of humility and genuine sorrow for wrongdoing. The verse teaches that God will never reject someone who comes to Him with a spirit that is broken and a heart that is truly sorry.

King David is speaking these words after being confronted about his sin. He is praying to God, recognizing that rituals and sacrifices alone are not enough; what matters most is a sincere and humble heart. This verse highlights that God cares more about the state of a person’s heart than about religious actions.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 51:17

  • "sacrifices" (זֶבַח, zevach): This word refers to the animal offerings made in the temple. Here, it is used to show that God is looking for something deeper than just ritual acts.
  • "broken" (שָׁבַר, shavar): This word means shattered or crushed. It describes a spirit that is humbled and aware of its need for forgiveness.
  • "contrite" (דָּכָא, daka): This word means crushed or deeply sorry. It emphasizes a heart that feels the weight of guilt and wants to change.
  • "despise" (בָּזָה, bazah): This word means to look down on or reject. The verse assures that God will not turn away someone who comes to Him in true humility.

Why Psalms 51:17 matters

  • Psalms 51:17 clears up the misunderstanding that God is mainly interested in outward religious rituals; instead, the verse shows that God values inner honesty and humility.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, where David is repenting and seeking forgiveness, showing that true repentance is about the heart, not just actions.
  • This verse emphasizes that no matter how broken or guilty someone feels, God will not reject a person who comes to Him sincerely.

Where else these words appear

“contrite” Hebrew H1794 · used in 5 verses

  • Psalms 10:10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
  • Psalms 38:8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
  • Psalms 44:19 Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.

“despise” Hebrew H959 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
  • Esther 3:6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
  • Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

“broken” Hebrew H7665 · used in 145 verses

  • Genesis 19:9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
  • Psalms 34:20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
  • Jeremiah 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: