Psalms 51:19, commentary and pictures

This closing promise belongs to David's pouring out of his soul before God in penitence and humiliation when convicted of sin. He showed that he could endure the loss of his crown but could not be deprived of God's favor, valuing God's favor more than his crown. God is pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering, and with bullocks offered upon His altar, only after the heart has been made ready, when a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart that He will not despise are offered instead of mere outward sacrifice.

That readiness involves having a clean heart created and a right spirit renewed, having His presence and Holy Spirit retained and not taken away, having the joy of salvation restored and guilt for sin removed, and having the lips opened to praise Him. That readiness also involves God doing good to Zion by building the walls of Jerusalem. Only then do teaching transgressors His ways and offering right service become acceptable to God.

Its lessons must be practiced in purity and Christlikeness, since merely nominal profession leaves influence unsavory and worthless like salt without savor. Sinners who have fallen should without delay seek God for mercy and pardon, because mercy is still extended and the blessing of God may be theirs if they heed the pleading voice of His Spirit. David's prayer for preparation of heart for acceptable service should be the prayer of every believer today. For His people this means laying aside pride in opening new fields, not keeping work closely confined to their own institutions, but showing interest in the colored schools in the South by visiting them with experienced wisdom, becoming acquainted with their work, cherishing earnest sympathy between teachers, accepting invitations to speak precious truths, and using opportunities in large institutions to build up present truth and remove prejudice.