Psalm 51:19
“Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. ”
KJV
Read in Psalm 51Meaning
The psalm ends with righteous sacrifices and offerings accepted in restored worship, showing that its critique is not a blanket rejection of Israel’s sacrificial life.
Zion’s good and worship restored
Psalm 51 is a penitential prayer traditionally linked by its superscription to David after Nathan confronted him. It moves from appeal to God’s steadfast love and honest confession, through cleansing and inner renewal, toward restored witness, humble worship, and concern for Zion. Repentance here neither erases harm done to others nor turns contrition into self-hatred.
Read carefully
The psalm ends with righteous sacrifices and offerings accepted in restored worship, showing that its critique is not a blanket rejection of Israel’s sacrificial life.
Reflection
The psalm ends with righteous sacrifices and offerings accepted in restored worship, showing that its critique is not a blanket rejection of Israel’s sacrificial life.