Psalms 40:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God values obedience and an open, responsive heart over ritual sacrifice.
The Context of Psalms 40:6
Rituals matter only when rooted in genuine, willing submission to God.
What Does Psalms 40:6 Mean?
This verse shifts the psalm's focus inward to the relationship between heart and practice. God is not indifferent to sacrifice, but He does not desire it as ritual disconnected from genuine submission. The refusal of offerings—even those prescribed in the law—emphasizes that external acts without internal alignment miss the point.
'Mine ears hast thou opened' refers to receptiveness and obedience. God wants a person who listens and responds, who submits willingly. This prepares the next verse, where the psalmist declares his willingness to do God's will.
Psalms 40:6 in the Original Language
qazab (קָצַב), 'desire'—to take delight in or prefer; implies pleasure, not mere tolerance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 40:6
What does Psalms 40:6 mean?
God values obedience and an open, responsive heart over ritual sacrifice.
What is the context of Psalms 40:6?
Rituals matter only when rooted in genuine, willing submission to God.