Psalms 51:17

Amharic New Standard Translation (አማርኛ አዲሱ መደበኛ ትርጉም) 2005

ለእግዚአብሔር የሚቀርብ መሥዋዕት የተሰበረ ልብ ነው፤ እግዚአብሔር ሆይ አንተ የተሰበረውንና የተዋረደውን ልብ አትንቅም።

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Psalms 51:17 tells us that God values a sincere, humble heart more than any sacrifice. It's King David speaking, acknowledging that a true repentant spirit is what God desires most.

Explained for Children

Imagine you accidentally broke your friend's favorite toy. God says that it's not about bringing the most expensive gift to say sorry, but about truly feeling sad and wanting to make things right. That's what God really cares about.

Historical Background

Psalm 51 was written by King David after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged the death of her husband. The audience was likely other Israelites, and this was written during a time when sacrifices were a common way to seek forgiveness from God.

Living It Out Today

Imagine you've hurt a friend and feel really bad about it. Instead of just saying sorry, think about how you can show that you truly care and want to make it right. God values your genuine remorse and efforts to change more than anything else.

Topics

• forgiveness
• repentance
• sacrifice
• humility
• God's mercy
• broken heart

Related Verses

• Isaiah 57:15
• Isaiah 66:2
• Luke 18:13-14
• Matthew 5:23-24
• Romans 2:4

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'a broken spirit' mean in Psalms 51:17?

A 'broken spirit' refers to a heart that is humbled and sorrowful over its sins, showing a deep desire for forgiveness and a willingness to change.

How can I show God a contrite heart today?

You can show a contrite heart by acknowledging your wrongdoings, feeling genuine remorse, and making a commitment to change your actions and attitudes.

Why is a broken heart important to God?

A broken heart shows a deep sincerity and genuine remorse, which demonstrates a true turning away from sin and a desire for God's forgiveness and guidance.

How does Psalms 51:17 relate to other parts of the Bible?

This verse relates to other passages that emphasize the importance of sincerity and humility over external rituals, such as Isaiah 66:2, which also speaks about God's preference for a humble heart over sacrifices.