Psalms 51:16

For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it; Thou delightest not in burnt-offering.

The service which David would not render

1. He declines a superfluous and unnecessary service; he will not give that; this is one thing which he resolves on, and it is a good resolution in him. In the worship of God, whatever is more than needful, it may very well be spared; we cannot supererogate with Him; those that think to do so exceedingly deceive themselves, yea, and wrong themselves also, while they draw out the strength of their spirits upon that which might be better bestowed.

2. He declines an arbitrary service. He will not serve God in any other way than as Himself shall allow of and prescribe. Because God does not desire sacrifice, therefore he will not give sacrifice to Him; this is the rule which he holds to in God’s worship, to do no more than Himself has commanded. And this is that which the Scripture does continually press upon us, the declining of all will-worship in the service of God as that which is abominable with Him.

3. He declines an unacceptable service; he will not do more in God’s service than shall be well received. This is the main thing which God’s people look after in their services which they present unto Him; to wit, His acceptance of them in those services; all without this, it is nothing worth. This is that which David says here; because he thinks that God delights not in burnt-offerings, therefore He shall not have them. God’s complacency is all in all. (Thomas Horton, D. D.)

What we bring to God must be such as God requires

There are some soldiers here to-night. Now, suppose one of these received orders from the commanding officer to keep guard at such and such a door. All of a sudden he thinks to himself, “I am very fond of our commander, and I should like to do something for him.” He puts his musket against the wall, and starts out to find a shop where he can buy a bunch of flowers. He is away from his post all the while, of course, and when he comes back he is discovered to have been away from his post of duty. He says, “Here is the bunch of flowers I went to get.” But I hear his officer say, “We cannot allow you--military discipline would not permit it--to run off at every whim and wish of yours and neglect your duty; for who knows what mischief must ensue.” It is a holier and better thing to do one’s duty than to make duties for oneself. (C. H. Spurgeon.)