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Psalms 51:17 kjv — The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

King James Version

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

— Psalms 51:17, King James Version

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Psalms 51:17 in Other Translations

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Psalms 51 — Context

14

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15

O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17

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

18

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

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.

Psalms 51:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Psalms 51:17 say?
Psalms 51:17 in the King James Version reads: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
Where is Psalms 51:17 in the Bible?
Psalms 51:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Psalms, chapter 51, verse 17.
Who wrote Psalms?
Psalms is traditionally attributed to Multiple authors (David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, others). Approximately 73 psalms are attributed to David; others to Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, Heman, and Ethan; the remainder are anonymous. It was written c. 1410–430 BC.
What is the book of Psalms about?
The Psalms are the prayer book and hymnal of God's people, gathering a thousand years of inspired song — praise, lament, thanksgiving, confession, and royal and messianic worship. Every emotion of the believing heart finds a voice here, and every voice finds its center in Christ.
What are the major themes of Psalms?
Psalms explores themes including Praise, Lament, Trust, Messiah, Refuge, Kingship. These themes shape the meaning and context of Psalms 51:17.
What translation should I read Psalms 51:17 in?
Psalms 51:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Psalms 51:17?
Psalms 51:17 reads (KJV): “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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