Chapter Summary
Psalm 51, the greatest penitential psalm, is David's prayer after his sin with Bathsheba. He cries for mercy, asks God to wash him thoroughly, and confesses his sin is ever before him. He recognizes sin goes deeper than actions - "in sin did my mother conceive me." He asks for a clean heart, a right spirit, and the joy of salvation restored. The sacrifices God desires are a broken spirit and contrite heart.
Key Verses in This Chapter
Psalms Chapter 51
Chapter 51 of Psalms from the Holy Bible
Verses
Psalms 51:1
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Psalms 51:2
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalms 51:3
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psalms 51:4
Against 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.
Psalms 51:5
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Psalms 51:6
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psalms 51:7
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalms 51:8
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Psalms 51:9
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Psalms 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalms 51:11
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psalms 51:12
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psalms 51:13
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Psalms 51:14
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
Psalms 51:15
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
Psalms 51:16
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
Psalms 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psalms 51:18
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Psalms 51:19
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
People Also Ask
What is the context of Psalm 51?
David wrote Psalm 51 after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12). The psalm is David's response of genuine repentance - not merely regret for consequences, but deep sorrow over the sin itself and its offense against God ("Against You, You only, have I sinned").
What does "create in me a clean heart" mean?
David uses the Hebrew word "bara" (create) - the same word used for God creating the universe in Genesis 1. He recognizes that a pure heart cannot be achieved by human effort - it requires divine creative power. He asks God to make something entirely new within him, not merely to repair what exists. This acknowledges the depth of sin's corruption and the necessity of God's transforming grace.