A proper reconciliation

Psalm 51:16-17(NIV)
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice,O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart

You, God, will not despise.

I was preparing for lesson one day and this struck me. I was wondering why the David was commenting on sacrifices, on which was the appropriate sacrifice to the Lord. 

Also, why was a broken and contrite heart a sacrifice? What does it achieve? 

Then I noticed that sacrifice is an act of reconciliation. It was always done to atone or in other words, seek forgiveness. If I were to see "sacrifice" as an act of reconciliation, then...

Then David was commenting on what act of reconciliation was acceptable before God. Was it just acts of reconciliation that God was after? God was not after outward acts of reconciliation. Now what are some examples?

I guess the making of terms and promises when "repenting" is one such "burnt offering". 

Or maybe someone may tithe more thinking that God will overlook their sins. 

Someone else may even think that by doing more good things God may excuse them from their bad things.

All such attempts are acts of reconciliation, are all activities and hence, sacrifices of "burnt offerings".

Instead, God is after the heart which desires reconciliation. A broken contrite heart, inward repentance. David here seems to understand that he was helpless in getting God's forgiveness. There was nothing he could do to get it. His part was to remain silent, was to soak in his crime before God in sleeping with Bathsheba and murdering Uriah. 

His part was but to realise how wrong he really was and become sorry for it. 

That heart, that broken contrite heart is the appropriate sacrifice. 

Since a sacrifice is offered for forgiveness, a broken, contrite heart is the requisite for forgiveness. 

Mind blown. I get it now. The sacrifice of the Lord is a broken contrite heart. 

Let me be careful dear Lord. Let me be careful to not brandish promises of good works as I seek your forgiveness. For burnt offerings you did not desire, but a heart that is truly repentant, a spirit broken by realisation of how my sin causes your displeasure. A spirit ashamed because it knows the love You have for me. 

And I will wait for brokenness. Let me not run for it. Let my conscience not be lifted before the depths of my heart is plumbed. 

Psalm 51:18-19 (NIV)
18 May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

And I will bring my burnt offering because You have forgiven me.