Psalms 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.
Original Language Analysis
אָ֤ז
H227
תַּחְפֹּ֣ץ
Then shalt thou be pleased
H2654
תַּחְפֹּ֣ץ
Then shalt thou be pleased
Strong's:
H2654
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
זִבְחֵי
with the sacrifices
H2077
זִבְחֵי
with the sacrifices
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
צֶ֭דֶק
of righteousness
H6664
צֶ֭דֶק
of righteousness
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
4 of 11
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
עוֹלָ֣ה
burnt offering
H5930
עוֹלָ֣ה
burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
5 of 11
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וְכָלִ֑יל
and whole
H3632
וְכָלִ֑יל
and whole
Strong's:
H3632
Word #:
6 of 11
complete; as noun, the whole (specifically, a sacrifice entirely consumed); as adverb, fully
אָ֤ז
H227
יַעֲל֖וּ
then shall they offer
H5927
יַעֲל֖וּ
then shall they offer
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
8 of 11
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Psalms 4:5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.Malachi 3:3And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.Ephesians 5:2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.Romans 12:1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.Psalms 118:27God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
Historical Context
The psalm doesn't reject sacrifice entirely but puts it in proper order: broken heart first, then joyful offering. Post-exilic readers would understand the restored temple sacrifices as following from national repentance.
Questions for Reflection
- What makes a sacrifice 'of righteousness'?
- How does the sequence of heart before ritual apply to Christian worship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The proper sacrifices: 'Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness...then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.' After heart-repentance comes appropriate ritual. Sacrifices offered from broken, contrite hearts (v.17) are 'sacrifices of righteousness.' External worship flows from internal transformation.