Psalms 51:16 Meaning and Explanation
“For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God desires something deeper than outward ritual sacrifice.
The Context of Psalms 51:16
Sacrifice is subordinated to a desire for something deeper in the human soul.
What Does Psalms 51:16 Mean?
The psalmist asserts that God does not delight in the sacrificial system as the primary expression of devotion. This does not condemn sacrifice but subordinates it; if sacrifice were God's true desire, the psalmist would eagerly provide it. The conditional 'else would I give it' is not a grudging concession but recognition that external offerings, however valuable, do not touch the core of what God seeks.
This statement reframes the entire psalm: the prayer is not for ritual restoration but for something interior that ritual cannot provide. The burned offering, wholly consumed, is transcended by what God truly desires. The logic suggests that God's heart is fixed on something deeper than the performance of religious acts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 51:16
What does Psalms 51:16 mean?
God desires something deeper than outward ritual sacrifice.
What is the context of Psalms 51:16?
Sacrifice is subordinated to a desire for something deeper in the human soul.