Psalms 40:6
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 40:6
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Chapter Context
Psalms 40 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, mercy, love. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-17: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 40:6
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Analysis
Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. This verse, quoted extensively in Hebrews 10:5-7, represents a watershed moment in biblical theology—the subordination of ritual sacrifice to obedient relationship. David doesn't condemn sacrifice (he participated in temple worship), but he recognizes that God values heart obedience above ceremonial performance. This theme appears throughout prophetic literature (1 Samuel 15:22, Isaiah 1:11-17, Hosea 6:6, Micah 6:6-8).
'Thou didst not desire' (lo chafatzta, לֹא־חָפַצְתָּ) and 'hast thou not required' (lo sha'alta, לֹא שָׁאָלְתָּ) establish that while God instituted the sacrificial system, His ultimate desire transcends ritual. He wants the heart reality that sacrifice symbolizes—repentance, faith, devotion, obedience. External ceremony without internal reality is worthless; God wants truth 'in the inward parts' (Psalm 51:6).
'Mine ears hast thou opened' (oznayim karita li, אָזְנַיִם כָּרִיתָ לִּי) is variously interpreted. The Hebrew karah can mean 'to dig' or 'to open.' Some see reference to Exodus 21:6, where a servant who chooses lifelong service has his ear pierced with an awl—symbolizing permanent commitment. Others see it as metaphor for receptive, obedient hearing. The Septuagint translates it 'a body hast thou prepared me' (quoted in Hebrews 10:5), interpreting it as God preparing a body for incarnational obedience—Christ's body prepared for sacrifice.
The verse lists four sacrifice categories—zebach (זֶבַח, peace/fellowship offering), minchah (מִנְחָה, grain offering), olah (עֹלָה, burnt offering), and chattah (חַטָּאָה, sin offering)—covering the entire sacrificial system. None of these, in themselves, satisfy God's ultimate desire. He wants obedient servants with open ears, ready to hear and do His will. Jesus perfectly fulfilled this—He came to do the Father's will (John 6:38), was obedient unto death (Philippians 2:8), and became the final sacrifice that ended all sacrifices (Hebrews 10:10-14).
Historical Context
The tension between sacrifice and obedience runs throughout Israel's history. The prophets repeatedly confronted empty ritualism—offering sacrifices while practicing injustice, maintaining ceremonies while violating covenant, performing rituals while harboring idolatry. Samuel rebuked Saul: 'Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams' (1 Samuel 15:22).
Isaiah condemned worship that lacked justice: 'To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD... bring no more vain oblations... your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean... cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow' (Isaiah 1:11-17). God doesn't reject sacrifice per se but sacrifice divorced from righteousness. He wants both outer ceremony and inner reality.
The post-exilic period highlighted this tension. After Babylon destroyed the temple and ended sacrifices, Jews discovered they could relate to God without temple rituals. Synagogues emerged emphasizing Scripture reading, prayer, and obedience. Though temple worship resumed after the exile, the prophetic critique of empty ritualism continued. By Jesus's time, the sacrificial system had become corrupt commerce (John 2:14-16), and Jesus's cleansing of the temple signaled coming judgment.
Hebrews 10:5-10 interprets this psalm christologically. When Christ entered the world, He came to fulfill what sacrifice symbolized—perfect obedience unto death. His once-for-all sacrifice rendered the old system obsolete (Hebrews 10:9). The torn temple veil at Christ's death symbolized access to God no longer depending on animal sacrifices but on Christ's blood. Christians now offer 'spiritual sacrifices' (1 Peter 2:5)—praise, service, obedience—grounded in Christ's completed work.
Reflection
- In what ways might you be offering God religious 'sacrifices' while withholding obedient hearing?
- What does it mean practically to have 'ears opened' to God's voice and will?
- How does Christ's perfect obedience fulfilling this verse deepen your understanding of His sacrifice?
- What 'spiritual sacrifices' is God calling you to offer based on Christ's completed work?
- How can you ensure your worship involves both outer expression and inner heart reality?
Word Studies
- Sacrifice: זֶבַח (Zevach) H2077 - Sacrifice, offering
Cross-References
- Sacrifice: Psalms 50:8, 51:16, 1 Samuel 15:22, Isaiah 1:11, 66:3, Hosea 6:6
- Sin: Matthew 9:13
- Parallel theme: Job 33:16