Skip to content
Scripture Mapping

Psalms 51

World English Bible

WEB

1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin. 3For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me. 4Against you, and you only, I have sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge. 5Behold, I was born in iniquity. My mother conceived me in sin. 6Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 7Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8Let me hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice. 9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all of my iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. 11Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit. 13Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners will be converted to you. 14Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation. My tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15Lord, open my lips. My mouth will declare your praise. 16For you don’t delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart. 18Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Psalms 51 is a profound expression of repentance and a plea for God's mercy, attributed to King David after his sin with Bathsheba. The psalm opens with a heartfelt cry for forgiveness, as David acknowledges his transgressions and the weight of his guilt. He appeals to God's steadfast love and abundant mercy, asking for cleansing from his sin, which he recognizes as a deep stain on his soul. This chapter emphasizes the importance of a contrite heart, as David states, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm51:10). This plea highlights the need for inner transformation rather than mere outward rituals of sacrifice, aligning with God's desire for genuine repentance and relationship with His people.

The psalm continues with David's desire for restoration, expressing that once he is cleansed, he will teach others about God's ways and lead them to repentance. He understands that true worship is not just about sacrifices but about a broken spirit and a contrite heart, which God does not despise. David's earnest prayer serves as a model for believers today, reminding us that no matter how far we stray, God's grace is sufficient to restore us. The chapter concludes with a vision of communal restoration, as David prays for the rebuilding of Jerusalem, indicating that personal repentance can lead to broader healing within the community. This psalm is a powerful reminder of God's mercy and the transformative power of repentance in the life of a believer.

Study

14 dimensions

Referenced by

  1. Genesis 39:9v4In Genesis 39:9, Joseph refuses Potiphar's wife's advances, saying it would be a sin against God. This reflects the sentiment in Psalm 51:4, where David acknowledges that sin is ultimately against God.
  2. 1 Samuel 15:22v161 Samuel 15:22 emphasizes that obedience to God is more important than sacrifices, a theme echoed in Psalm 51:16-17 where David acknowledges that God desires a contrite heart over burnt offerings.
  3. 2 Samuel 11:27v12 Samuel 11:27 concludes with the Lord being displeased with David's actions. Psalm 51:1-4 is David's prayer of repentance, acknowledging his sin against God, which is a direct response to the events of this chapter.
  4. 2 Samuel 12:13v12 Samuel 12:13 records David's confession of sin, which is expanded upon in Psalm 51, a psalm of repentance attributed to David after Nathan's confrontation.
  5. 2 Samuel 24:10v1David's repentance in 2 Samuel 24:10 after realizing his sin in taking the census is echoed in Psalm 51, where David expresses deep contrition and seeks God's mercy.
  6. Psalms 41:4v1Psalm 41:4 is a plea for mercy and healing, acknowledging sin, which parallels David's plea for mercy and cleansing in Psalm 51:1-2.
  7. Isaiah 1:18v7Isaiah 1:18 offers forgiveness and cleansing from sin, similar to Psalm 51:7 where David asks God to cleanse him and make him whiter than snow.
  8. Isaiah 66:2v17Isaiah 66:2 emphasizes God's favor towards the humble and contrite in spirit. This is echoed in Psalm 51:17, where a broken and contrite heart is described as pleasing to God.
  9. Ezekiel 18:31v10Ezekiel 18:31 calls for a new heart and a new spirit, which resonates with David's plea in Psalm 51:10 for God to create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him.

Topics in this chapter

Related chapters

Your study

Take it with you

This chapter’s study as a Markdown file. The analysis was written for a notebook originally, so the hashtags arrive as hashtags and the passages as links.

Download the analysisDownload it with your notes and highlights