Psalms 51:19
What does Psalms 51:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 51:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 51:19 means
David concludes with a prophetic hope, anticipating a time when God will delight in the "sacrifices of righteousness," including various burnt offerings, indicating a future restoration. This verse suggests that once Israel, and specifically Jerusalem, is spiritually renewed and their walls are (metaphorically or literally) rebuilt, then their formal worship, represented by bullocks on the altar, will be truly acceptable to God. This points to the New Covenant understanding that true worship flows from a righteous heart, established through the perfect sacrifice of Christ, making all subsequent acts of devotion pleasing to God.
Psalms 51:19 in context
Psalms 51 — A Broken and Contrite Heart
The penitential psalm of David, written after Nathan the prophet confronted him over his sin with Bathsheba. There is no excuse-making here, only naked confession: 'against thee, thee only, have I sinned.' David asks not merely for forgiveness but for a clean heart and a renewed spirit. He understands that God will not despise a broken and contrite heart — and that the only sacrifice God ultimately wants is a humbled life.
- Confession
- Repentance
- Inward renewal
- True worship
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then wilt thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, In burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering: Then will they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then wilt thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, In burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering: Then will they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then you will have delight in the offerings of righteousness, in burned offerings and offerings of beasts; then they will make offerings of oxen on your altar.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Then Thou desirest sacrifices of righteousness, Burnt-offering, and whole burnt-offering, Then they offer bullocks on thine altar!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not available in this translation
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then shalt thou have sacrifices of righteousness, burnt-offering, and whole burnt-offering; then shall they offer up bullocks upon thine altar.
Context
After praying for the welfare of Zion and the rebuilding of Jerusalem in verse 18, this concluding verse describes the glorious outcome of such restoration. It links the community's spiritual renewal to the acceptability of their sacrifices, providing a forward-looking hope. This final statement ties together the themes of personal repentance, communal well-being, and acceptable worship, culminating the psalm's journey from deep despair to hopeful anticipation of God's full restoration and delight in His people.
v.18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: Build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
v.19This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Malachi 3:3
and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer unto Jehovah offerings in righteousness.
- Ephesians 5:2
and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.
- Psalms 4:5
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in Jehovah.
- Psalms 118:27
Jehovah is God, and he hath given us light: Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
- Psalms 66:13
I will come into thy house with burnt-offerings; I will pay thee my vows,
- Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
Sermon ideas from Psalms 51:19
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Psalms 51:19 teaches us about confession
What Psalms 51:19 teaches us about repentance
What Psalms 51:19 teaches us about inward renewal
What Psalms 51:19 teaches us about true worship
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