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17 The sacrifice God desires is a humble spirit[a]
O God, a humble and repentant heart[b] you will not reject.[c]
18 Because you favor Zion, do what is good for her.[d]
Fortify[e] the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will accept[f] the proper sacrifices, burnt sacrifices and whole offerings;
then bulls will be sacrificed[g] on your altar.[h]

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 51:17 tn Heb “a broken spirit.”
  2. Psalm 51:17 tn Heb “a broken and crushed heart.”
  3. Psalm 51:17 tn Or “despise.”
  4. Psalm 51:18 tn Heb “do what is good for Zion in your favor.”
  5. Psalm 51:18 tn Or “Build.” The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.
  6. Psalm 51:19 tn Or “desire, take delight in.”
  7. Psalm 51:19 tn Heb “then they will offer up bulls.” The third plural subject is indefinite.
  8. Psalm 51:19 sn Verses 18-19 appear to reflect the exilic period, when the city’s walls lay in ruins and the sacrificial system had been disrupted.