For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
Nathan's rebuke roused David from a spiritual torpor into which he had sunk for a long time. Seeing the magnitude of his guilt, he turns to God's infinite mercy as his only ground for hope, knowing he deserves multiplied condemnation and might justly be cast off forever.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 51:1-19
For thou desirest not sacrifice. This was the subject of the last Psalm. The psalmist was so illuminated as to see far beyond the symbolic ritual; his eye of faith gazed with delight upon the actual atonement. Else would I give it. He would have been glad enough to present tens of thousands of victims if these would have met the case.
David had hidden behind the excuse that he did not strike the blow himself, but now conscience cries out: he is the murderer. He hears the blood calling to God for vengeance and turns to plead for mercy. His tongue shall then sing loudly of God's righteousness, for that is the salvation the Lord brings, deliverance from sin itself.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 51:14-19