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Psalms 51:19

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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 51:19 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 51:19

Theological / Devotional

Of righteousness. As opposed to the sacrifice discussed in v. 16, sacrifices acceptable to God are sacrifices of righteousness (see Ps. 4:5), offered in a right spirit with a right motive.

With burnt offering. External forms of religion have their place. It was Christ who instituted the ceremonial law. The various services prescribed in this law had important instructional value. The sin of the people lay in making these outward forms the sum total of religion. David recognized the significance and value of the forms of public worship when they are outward signs of the sincere spirit of the worshiper. We should take care that the most formal parts of public worship preserve the spirit of humble worship. There is nothing wrong in following certain forms of worship, but rather in a lack of sincere religion motivating the forms.

By SdaBc