Contrite Heart – Broken Heart – Humble Heart

A contrite heart, a broken heart, a humble heart. Whilst these may appear to be different ways of saying the same thing – they do have different meanings, and as such, with sincerity of heart, I sought to understand.

What is a contrite heart?

What does the Bible mean when it says; a broken heart?

What is true humility – in a true Biblical sense?

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18

In this instance, ‘broken’ means; crush, destroy, hurt, quench, tear.

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, or a crushed, hurt, heart. When hurt, the Lord is there to deliver them. The Lord is not the one doing the crushing and destroying, He is the one doing the delivering.

Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10


Isaiah 57:14-15

“And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.


Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart These, O God, You will not despise.”

In this instance, ‘contrite’ means:  grieving and penitent for sin.

God does not despise a broken heart, for this is true humility and, the first step to forgiveness and cleansing.  Forgiveness comes when you acknowledge sin and sincerely humble yourself before God, with a repentant heart.


With a grateful heart.

All Glory to God.