What is the Bible verse on a contrite heart?
The verse in Psalm 51:17 emphasizes the significance of a contrite heart in the eyes of God. The word "contrite" conveys a sense of deep remorse, humility, and brokenness over one's sins.
The concept of a contrite heart is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting the importance of humility, repentance, and sincerity in the relationship between humanity and God. The verse that most directly addresses the idea of a contrite heart is found in Psalm 51:17, which reads, "My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."
Psalm 51 is a heartfelt prayer of repentance and forgiveness written by King David after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan for his sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. In the midst of his guilt and shame, David acknowledges his wrongdoing and appeals to God for mercy and restoration.
The verse in Psalm 51:17 emphasizes the significance of a contrite heart in the eyes of God. The word "contrite" conveys a sense of deep remorse, humility, and brokenness over one's sins. A contrite heart is not merely about feeling sorry for wrong actions but about genuine repentance and a desire to turn away from sin and seek reconciliation with God.
The act of sacrifice was a common practice in the Old Testament as a way to atone for sins and seek forgiveness from God. However, the psalmist David understood that true sacrifice was not just about external rituals or offerings but about the condition of one's heart. A broken and contrite heart, a spirit of humility and repentance, is what God truly desires from his people.
Throughout the Bible, there are numerous references to the importance of a contrite heart in the worship and relationship with God. In the book of Isaiah, God speaks through the prophet Isaiah, saying, "For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: 'I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite'" (Isaiah 57:15). God values humility, sincerity, and a willingness to acknowledge one's faults and seek his forgiveness.
In the New Testament, Jesus also emphasizes the importance of a contrite heart in the context of repentance and forgiveness. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:3-4). The poor in spirit, those who are humble and contrite, are considered blessed by God and receive his comfort and mercy.