40 Or “For.” The translation assumes the particle is asseverative (i.e., emphasizing: “certainly”). (Some translations that consider the particle asseverative leave it untranslated.) If taken as causal or explanatory (“for”, cf. ), the verse would explain why the psalmist is pleading for forgiveness, rather than merely offering a sacrifice.
41 The translation assumes that the cohortative is used in a hypothetical manner in a formally unmarked conditional sentence, “You do not want a sacrifice, should I offer [it]” (cf. ). For other examples of cohortatives in the protasis (“if” clause) of a conditional sentence, see §108.e. (It should be noted, however, that understands this particular verse in a different manner. See §108.f, where it is suggested that the cohortative is part of an apodosis with the protasis being suppressed.)
42 You do not desire a burnt sacrifice. The terminology used in v. 16 does not refer to expiatory sacrifices, but to dedication and communion offerings. This is not a categorical denial of the sacrificial system in general or of the importance of such offerings. The psalmist is talking about his specific situation. Dedication and communion offerings have their proper place in worship (see v. 19), but God requires something more fundamental, a repentant and humble attitude (see v. 17), before these offerings can have real meaning.
43 Heb “a broken spirit.”
44 Heb “a broken and crushed heart.”
45 Or “despise.”
46 Heb “do what is good for Zion in your favor.”
47 Or “Build.” The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.
48 For location see ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; .
49 Or “desire, take delight in.”
50 Heb “then they will offer up bulls.” The third plural subject is indefinite.
51 Verses 18–19 appear to reflect the exilic period, when the city’s walls lay in ruins and the sacrificial system had been disrupted.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;

you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;

build up the walls of Jerusalem;

then will you delight in right sacrifices,

in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart

you, God, will not despise.

May it please you to prosper Zion,

to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,

in burnt offerings offered whole;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;

you are not pleased with a burnt offering.

The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.

You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.

In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;

build the walls of Jerusalem.

Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices,

whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

NLTNew Living Translation

You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.

You do not want a burnt offering.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.

You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

Look with favor on Zion and help her;

rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—

with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.

Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

For you do not delight in sacrifice or I would give it.

With a burnt offering you are not pleased.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

A broken and contrite heart,

O God, you will not despise.

Do good in your favor toward Zion.

Build the walls of Jerusalem.

Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices,

burnt offering and whole burnt offering.

Then bulls will be offered on your altar.

KJV 1900King James Version

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it:

Thou delightest not in burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion:

Build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

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.

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