Psalms 51

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 51

1¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me.

4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest.

5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.

9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.

13[Then] will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14¶ Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give [it]: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 51 is a fervent prayer of repentance from David, offered after Nathan confronted him about his sin with Bathsheba. David pleads for God's mercy and thorough cleansing, acknowledging his transgressions are ever before him and that he sinned uniquely against God. He asks for a clean heart, a renewed spirit, and the restoration of God's presence and the joy of salvation. The psalm emphasizes that God desires a broken and contrite heart more than outward sacrifices, concluding with a prayer for Zion's welfare.

Medium Summary

Psalm 51, attributed to David following his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah, is a profound expression of penitence and a plea for divine mercy. David begins by imploring God's lovingkindness to blot out his transgressions and wash him thoroughly from his iniquity. He confesses his sin is ever present and acknowledges that his offense was primarily against God alone, justifying God's judgment. David prays for inner purification, desiring a clean heart and a right spirit to be renewed within him, and pleads that God's Holy Spirit not be taken from him. He seeks the restoration of the joy of salvation, promising that if restored, he will teach transgressors God's ways. The psalm culminates in the declaration that God values a broken and contrite heart above animal sacrifices, concluding with a petition for the welfare of Jerusalem.

Long Summary

Psalm 51 is a deeply penitential psalm of David, composed after the prophet Nathan confronted him concerning his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. David opens with an urgent plea for God's mercy and lovingkindness, asking for his transgressions to be blotted out and for a thorough washing from his iniquity and sin. He candidly acknowledges his sin, stating it is constantly before him, and confesses that his offense was uniquely against God, thereby justifying God's judgment. David further reflects on his inherent sinful nature, having been "shapen in iniquity" from conception. He expresses a profound desire for inner truth and wisdom from God. The psalmist then earnestly prays for complete purification, asking to be purged with hyssop and washed to become "whiter than snow," so that his broken bones may rejoice. He implores God to hide His face from his sins and blot out all his iniquities. Central to his prayer is the petition for God to "create in me a clean heart" and "renew a right spirit within me," along with the desperate plea not to be cast from God's presence or have the Holy Spirit taken away. David seeks the restoration of the "joy of thy salvation" and desires to be upheld by a "free spirit." In an act of faith, he vows that if God restores him, he will teach transgressors God's ways, leading sinners to conversion. He also prays for deliverance from bloodguiltiness, promising to sing aloud of God's righteousness and praise. The psalm concludes with a pivotal theological insight: God does not primarily desire animal sacrifices, but rather a "broken spirit" and a "broken and a contrite heart," which He will not despise. Finally, David extends his prayer to the welfare of Zion, asking God to build the walls of Jerusalem, anticipating that then God will be pleased with righteous sacrifices.

Core Concepts

  • Repentance and ConfessionDavid's earnest and open acknowledgment of his transgressions and sin, coupled with a deep plea for God's mercy and cleansing, forms the core of the psalm.
  • Sin Against God AloneThe profound theological insight that all sin, even when committed against others, is ultimately an offense against God's holiness and His divine law.
  • Inherent SinfulnessDavid's recognition that sin is not merely an act but a condition, stating he was "shapen in iniquity" and conceived in sin, pointing to a fallen human nature.
  • Desire for Inner PurityThe fervent prayer for God to "create in me a clean heart" and "renew a right spirit within me," emphasizing God's desire for truth and righteousness in the innermost being.
  • Restoration of God's PresenceDavid's desperate plea not to be cast away from God's presence or have the Holy Spirit taken from him, highlighting the vital importance of divine fellowship and spiritual sustenance.
  • True SacrificeThe revelation that God does not primarily desire animal sacrifices, but rather values a "broken spirit" and a "broken and a contrite heart" as the true offerings of worship.
  • Consequences of ForgivenessDavid's vow that if God restores him, he will teach transgressors God's ways and show forth His praise, illustrating that forgiveness leads to renewed service and worship.