16-17 Going through the motions doesn’t please you,
    a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship
    when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
    don’t for a moment escape God’s notice.

18-19 Make Zion the place you delight in,
    repair Jerusalem’s broken-down walls.
Then you’ll get real worship from us,
    acts of worship small and large,
Including all the bulls
    they can heave onto your altar!

Read full chapter

16 You do not delight in sacrifice,(A) or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice,(B) O God, is[a] a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart(C)
    you, God, will not despise.

18 May it please you to prosper Zion,(D)
    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.(E)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 51:17 Or The sacrifices of God are