What does Psalm 51:16 say?

For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I give it , Burnt-offering Thou acceptest not.

What translation is this?

This passage is displayed in the Young's Literal Translation (YLT) translation on Scripture Lens.

What are related verses?

Related passages to Psalm 51:16 include Genesis 12:1-3, Psalm 95:1-7, Exodus 19:4-6, Psalm 51:15, and Psalm 51:17, and more.

Psalms 51:16 (YLT)

Passage

For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I give <FI>it<Fi> , Burnt-offering Thou acceptest not.

Nearby Context

Psalms 51:14 Deliver me from blood, O God, God of my salvation, My tongue singeth of Thy righteousness.

Psalms 51:15 O Lord, my lips thou dost open, And my mouth declareth Thy praise.

Psalms 51:16 For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I give <FI>it<Fi> , Burnt-offering Thou acceptest not.

Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God <FI>are<Fi> a broken spirit, A heart broken and bruised, O God, Thou dost not despise.

Psalms 51:18 Do good in Thy good pleasure with Zion, Thou dost build the walls of Jerusalem.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "thou", "desirest", "sacrifice", "give", "burnt-offering", and "acceptest". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "thou" and "desirest", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 15's "O Lord my lips thou dost open..." into verse 17's "The sacrifices of God FI are Fi...", so "thou" and "desirest" belong inside that flow. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "thou" and "desirest" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.