The phrase "heal the contrite" is not a direct quote found verbatim in the Bible. However, the sentiment and concepts within the phrase are strongly present in several passages. Here's a breakdown of where you can find similar ideas:
* Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
* This verse speaks directly to God's nearness to those who are "brokenhearted" or "crushed in spirit," which aligns with the idea of contrition. The promise of salvation implies healing.
* Psalm 51:17: "My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."
* This verse, part of David's prayer of repentance, highlights the value God places on a "broken and contrite heart." While it doesn't explicitly say "heal," the implication is that God accepts and values this state of humility and repentance.
* Isaiah 57:15: "For this is what the high and lofty One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
* This is the closest you'll get to the phrase you mentioned. It directly states that God dwells with the contrite and lowly and that he will "revive" their spirit and heart. Reviving is a form of healing.
* Luke 4:18 (Quoting Isaiah 61:1): "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free."
* While not directly about contrition, this passage describes Jesus' mission, which includes bringing healing and liberation to those in need – both physically and spiritually. Those who are contrite are often among the "poor," "prisoners," and "oppressed" in a spiritual sense.
In summary: While "heal the contrite" isn't a direct quote, the underlying idea of God's closeness to, acceptance of, and healing of those who are contrite and broken in spirit is a consistent theme in the Bible, particularly in the Psalms and the book of Isaiah.