Psalm 51/Notes/Grammar.v. 18.783478

The syntax of this verse is difficult and contested. Most English translations along with the Masoretic vocalization and accents connect the pausal form וְאֶתֵּנָה with the preceding clause with the sense "or else I would give (it)" (as does the Old Greek). The NRSV takes it with the following noun, yielding, "if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased" (so also the Psalms Targum , which would otherwise have probably used a preposition before עלתא). This entails revocalization to the non-pausal form וְאֶתְּנָה with BHS, which also makes for more balanced poetic lines. For similar conditional constructions, compare Pss 40:6; 139:18. If taken with 18a, it would stress that the psalmist would be willing to offer a sacrifice if God desired one, even though he does not. This is somewhat in tension with the thrust of the context where the psalmist does offer a spiritual sacrifice (v. 19) and looks forward to future right sacrifices (v. 21). If וְאֶתֵּנָה is taken with 18b, it would stress rather that any sacrifice the psalmist could offer would fail to please God in lieu of a broken spirit. This, then, nicely sets the stage for the psalmist's spiritual self-offering in v. 19.