---

What is a broken heart? We use the expression to set forth the effects of heavy affliction and sorrow. And so here, the broken heart tells of deep sorrow on account of our Sin. Before, it had hope for itself; now it has none, and, thus broken, it is offered with shame and grief. Before, it could listen to the truths of the Gospel unmoved, but now it quivers with emotion. The same wind which moves violently the waters of the lake of Gennesaret is said to leave unruffled those of the Dead Sea. So the man may have been at one time insensible, but he is far from that now.

I. SUCH BROKEN AND CONTRITE HEART IS A SACRIFICE OF GOD. Men think it is the price which they pay for forgiveness, and they do not see why it is necessary that Christ should die. But debts cannot be cancelled by mere regret, and the sacrifice of the broken heart always follows, never precedes, the application to the heart of the sacrifice of Christ's blood. Whenever Christ saves a sinner He invariably breaks his heart. The same cross which sets him free from the penalty of the law, sets him free also from the obduracy of his own nature; and these two deliverances always go together, and we can never be sure that we have the one unless we have the other.

II. IT IS AN OFFERING WHICH GOD DOES NOT DESPISE. He might have done so, and it is a wonder that He does not. Text implies this, and thankfulness and confidence.

III. BUT UNGODLY MEN DESPISE IT. Let them not think they will always feel as they do now. They would rather be detected in crime than in sorrow for it. But God can break their heart. At times He does so, by His word, mightily applied, or by terrible sorrow; and certainly by death. The only gift of God to a lost sinner is the gift of an insensibility unknown before.

(J. A. Alexander, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

WEB: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.