Psalm 51 (50):18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This aligns with the message found in the previous Psalm, where the Lord proclaims, “I will not receive oxen from thy house” (Psalms 49:9). Responding to this divine declaration, the speaker acknowledges, “if Thou hadst desired a sacrifice, I would have given it,” and continues by expressing that since You have indicated a disdain for sacrifices from those who cannot speak, I will instead present an offering that pleases You. Therefore, in light of the fact that I do not seek those offerings that You have deemed unsatisfactory, I offer You the sacrifice that is acceptable in Your sight.

The Offering of the Heart When St. David declared, "If Thou wilt offer a sacrifice, I will give; for a burnt offering Thou wilt not favour," he was recognizing that the sacrifices once made to God are no longer the same. In expressing this, he was prophesying, transcending the present moment, and envisioning what was to come: he stated that God would not favor the burnt offering. So, if burnt offerings are no longer acceptable, does that mean there will be no sacrifice? Absolutely not! A true offering to God is a contrite spirit, a broken and humble heart—this He will not reject. Each one of us has something to offer. Do not search among the flock, prepare ships for distant journeys, or seek spices from afar. Instead, examine your heart for what might be pleasing to God.

This aligns with the message conveyed in the previous Psalm. There, the Almighty declares, I will not accept bullocks from your house, nor goats from your flocks (Psalms 49:9). Understanding this divine instruction, David wisely stated, If You had wished for a sacrifice, You would have provided it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The prophet has proclaimed that the offerings of the mute are unpleasing to You; hence, I will present to You a sacrifice that is truly pleasing in Your sight.

Let us observe once more how the offerings of animal sacrifices mandated by the law are ultimately dismissed. He states, “If they were pleasing to You, I would surely bring them,” yet You do not desire such offerings (burnt sacrifices); indeed, they have lost their significance in Your sight, even though burnt sacrifices were favored above all others. Additionally, when David later presented such offerings to God, it is important to note that he acted out of respect for the law rather than genuine conviction, primarily because the time for the New Covenant sacrifice had not yet arrived.

It is not required for a person to exchange anything other than the awareness of their own insignificance for their soul. Only through this realization can one present to God a contrite and meek spirit, which is the sole offering worthy to be made. God honors this singular gift, recognizing that humanity possesses nothing inherently valuable to bring to Him, as King David stated: If thou wouldst have wanted a sacrifice, thou wouldst have given it, but the burnt offering thou wilt not. Sacrifice to God a broken spirit, a contrite and humble heart God will not despise (Psalm 50:18-19).

The only offering that God finds acceptable from humanity in its brokenness is a contrite spirit. The Prophet conveys to God that if He had desired a sacrifice, He would have provided it on behalf of every fallen individual. Thus, one cannot merely present a personal offering, whether physical or mental, but is called to give a complete burnt offering. Present to God a contrite heart: a humble and repentant spirit will not be rejected by Him.

Ubo - indeed. A burnt offering refers to a Jewish sacrifice in which the entire animal is consumed by fire on the altar. What is the significance of the phrase 'burnt offerings are not pleasing to you'? This indicates that God values the offerings made on the altar (Hebrews 10:4-6) less than the true sacrifice of the heart: it delights Him when an individual possesses a contrite spirit, meaning it is acceptable to Him when a person recognizes and mourns their sins.

He explains his motivation for presenting the offering of praise: animal sacrifices do not find favor with God, and were they acceptable, he would gladly offer them; for the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). Thus, the sacrifice of praise is pleasing to God, as it arises from the altar of the heart, ignited by the flames of love; however, it is frequently marred by insincerity, making it unacceptable to God.

If You had wished for a sacrifice, You would have provided one. As it is written in Hebrews, “For you have no pleasure in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, You would not accept it.” Sacrifices are no longer required. “Since You have put an end to the sacrifices prescribed by the law, which cannot cleanse us from wrongdoing, I present to You the offering that You cherish, which is the sacrifice of a contrite spirit and a humble heart.”

Ultimately, throughout the ages, this psalm, divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit through David, serves as a powerful expression of repentance for anyone who has sinned, offering a path for humanity to avoid the severity of God's judgment. Additionally, this psalm encompasses the prophecy regarding the Incarnation of Christ, the Redeemer of sinners, who the prophet yearns for, exclaiming, "Give me the joy of Thy salvation." God's original design intended for humanity to be born free from the bondages of sin and corruption. However, through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, the introduction of marriage occurred, leading to all descendants of Adam being conceived in sin. The prophet does not blame marriage itself but rather highlights the wrongdoing of the ancestors.