Psalms 51:17

Verse

Psalms 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

  • Confession
  • Humility
  • Repentance
  • Sorrow
  • Faith
Bebe's interpretation
Psalm 51 begins with David's plea to God for mercy. In his prayer, he asks God to blot out his sins, to wash away his iniquities, and to cleanse him from all sin. As indicated in this verse, David could have offered God a thousand sacrifices. However, he was aware that God was looking for a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart as sacrifices. When David prayed for forgiveness, he offered God a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart. 
In contrast to David, Church-age believers need not worry about losing the Holy Spirit as He took up permanent residence in our hearts from the moment they accepted Christ as Savior, and He will never abandon us or forsake us, regardless of our sins. When we do not look to Jesus and walk in humility of spirit and dependence on our Father in heaven, we can grieve the Spirit of God and quench the work He desires to accomplish in our lives.
We know that God will not scorn a sacrifice of a broken spirit and a contrite heart that is acceptable to Him, as David did when he recognized his own lustful sin. As David did, we must approach the throne of grace with brokenness of heart and contrition of spirit, for such a sacrifice is pleasing and acceptable to God.
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