Psalms 51:17 Meaning and Explanation
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God accepts a broken spirit and contrite heart as the true sacrifice.
The Context of Psalms 51:17
The true sacrifice is the broken, contrite heart—despised by the world but honored by God.
What Does Psalms 51:17 Mean?
This verse articulates the exchange: broken spirit and contrite heart are 'the sacrifices of God'—the offerings God actually receives and values. The brokenness is not metaphorical anguish but a shattering of the self's self-sufficiency. Contrition is not mere regret but a complete turning, a reorienting of the will toward God. These internal states become the offering presented before God.
'Thou wilt not despise' is assurance, not petition. God will not reject the broken and contrite heart—it is precious to Him. The verse's promise reverses the expected economy: what the world despises (brokenness, contrition, loss of pride) God treasures. This is the ground of the entire prayer's hope: God's character is such that He honors the broken heart when turned toward Him in truth.
Psalms 51:17 in the Original Language
contrite (נִדְכָּה) — from the root meaning 'crushed,' 'beaten,' or 'humbled'; suggests deep brokenness of will and pride, not merely sorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 51:17
What does Psalms 51:17 mean?
God accepts a broken spirit and contrite heart as the true sacrifice.
What is the context of Psalms 51:17?
The true sacrifice is the broken, contrite heart—despised by the world but honored by God.