What is the meaning of Psalm 40:6? Sacrifice and offering You did not desire “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire” • David recalls that God Himself established Israel’s sacrificial system (Leviticus 1–7), yet the Lord never wanted animal offerings for their own sake. • He cares first for hearts aligned with His will—“To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). • Prophets repeatedly echoed this theme: “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6) and “I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls” (Isaiah 1:11–17). • Jesus affirmed it: loving God and neighbor “is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mark 12:33). • The writer of Hebrews links Psalm 40 to Christ, showing that the old sacrifices pointed forward to the obedience of the Messiah (Hebrews 10:5–6). but my ears You have opened “but my ears You have opened” • An opened ear pictures willing, attentive obedience. God isn’t looking for dutiful ritual; He wants listeners who act on His word (James 1:22). • The imagery recalls the bond-servant whose ear was pierced as a sign of lifelong, glad service (Exodus 21:5–6). David declares that God has “pierced” his hearing—he belongs to the Lord. • The Servant-prophecy echoes the same posture: “He awakens My ear to listen… The Lord GOD has opened My ear, and I was not rebellious” (Isaiah 50:4–5). • Obedience born of love becomes the real offering God desires (Romans 12:1). Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require “Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require” • Burnt offerings symbolized total consecration; sin offerings dealt with guilt. Even these God “did not require” as an end in themselves (Psalm 51:16–17). • When hearts stray, sacrifices become empty; God said, “I am not pleased with you… nor will I accept an offering” (Malachi 1:10). • Jesus calls sinners to mercy, not mere ritual (Matthew 9:13). His once-for-all sacrifice fulfills what endless animal blood never could (Hebrews 10:8–10; 1 Peter 3:18). • Therefore, Psalm 40 anticipates the Messiah who would render perfect obedience and offer Himself, satisfying every requirement of the law. summary Psalm 40:6 teaches that God prizes obedient hearts over ritual sacrifices. He “opens ears” so His people gladly hear and obey, foreshadowing the perfect obedience of Christ. Animal offerings pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice—the willing, listening Son who fulfilled God’s desire once for all and invites us into the same wholehearted devotion. |
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