Kabbalah Mazmur 26:2: Zohar & Idra Zuta

David in the same Psalm goes on to say: “For thou desirest not sacrifice, else would I give it; thou delightest not in burnt-offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (vv. I 7, I 8). “Thou desirest not sacrifice.” But has not the Holy One ordered sacrifices for the forgiveness of sin? It is to be noted, however, that David spake this in regard to the Divine Name Elohim, that is, the attribute of severe judgement: sacrifices must be brought to the Name TETRAGRAMMATON, the attribute of Mercy, as this is the Name always mentioned in connection with the different kinds of sacrifices (Lev. 1, 2; II, 1; III, 6), but to the Name Elohim the only sacrifice that can be offered is a broken spirit and a sorrowful heart, as it is written, “The sacrifices of Elohim are a broken spirit.”

King David first said, “Examine me, Hashem, and prove me” (Tehillim 26:2), for I am not afraid of all the judgments, not even of this righteousness, for I am connected to it (David was the embodiment of Malchut). It is written, “I will behold your face in righteousness” (Ibid. 17:15), specifically with righteousness. I am not afraid of withstanding its judgments. After he sinned, he feared even justice, as written, “And enter not into judgment (justice) with your servant” (Ibid. 143:2). Come and see, when this righteousness (Tzedek) is sweetened by justice, it is called righteousness (tzedakah) with a feminine suffix, because it becomes the female part of Zeir Anpin called justice, and she receives Chassadim from him. And the world is sweetened with Chesed and filled by it as written, “He loves righteousness (tzedakah) and justice; the earth is full of the Chesed of Hashem” (Ibid. 33:5).