Keraia
Psalm 51

Psalm 51:1

Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God · Psalm 51:1–19
Read Psalm 51

Translations

Modern
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.
Traditional
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath–sheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Literal
For the one directing. A Psalm of David, in the coming of Nathan the prophet to him after that he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to the abundance of Your compassion, wipe out my transgressions.
Latin
In finem. Psalmus David, cum venit ad eum Nathan propheta, quando intravit ad Bethsabee. Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam; et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dele iniquitatem meam.

Original

Hebrew
English
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.

Notes

Psalms 51:1

A prayer for God's mercy and kindness is a type of lament. Sometimes, the psalmist asks for mercy because he recognizes his own weakness and sin (see also Psalm 6:2; 9:13; 25:16; 31:9; 41:4, 10). Other times, the plea comes from the psalmist's dedication to the Lord (see Psalm 26:11; 27:7; 119:29, 58, 132). In every situation, God's mercy leads to inner renewal.

Psalms 51:title

See 2 Samuel 11:1–27. The psalm does not directly mention this event.

Psalms 51:1–2

The person who regrets their wrongdoing cannot offer anything to God. They need God's favor, mercy, forgiveness, and blessing to experience renewal and restoration.

Psalms 51:1–19

This heartfelt prayer for restoration seeks God's favor, mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing. With a broken spirit, the psalmist admits his sin and takes responsibility (Psalm 51:3–6). He then asks God to remove his guilt and renew him internally (Psalm 51:7–12). The psalmist commits again to living wisely and joyfully while serving God and others (Psalm 51:13–17).

Psalms 51:1–65:13

These psalms of David share a common theme. They reflect on the experience of evil. In Psalm 51, the psalmist admits his wrongdoing and asks for God's forgiveness. Psalms 52–64 express sorrow over specific evils David faced. A song of praise (Psalm 65) brings David's laments to an end.

Theme notes and profiles

Bathsheba David Pure Worship

Parallels

2 Samuel 12:1–12

People

Bathsheba: Wife of Uriah, later married David and bore Solomon David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Nathan: Prophet during the reigns of David and Solomon

Glossary

Bathsheba Confession Conversion David Forgiveness Man, Old and New Mercy Music Prayer Psalms, Book of Repentance Sin

Topics

Confession of Sin: should be Accompanied With: Prayer for Forgiveness Conscience for his Adultery and the Murder of Uriah Conscience: Guilty Conviction of Sin David: King of Israel: Repents of his Crime and Confesses his Guilt Desire: Spiritual Homicide: David's Repentance For, and Confession of, the Murder of Uriah Pardon: Exhibits The: Loving-Kindness of God Pardon: Exhibits The: Mercy of God Pardon: Pray for for Yourselves Prayer of David Prayer Under Affliction for Pardon and Deliverance from Sin Prayer: Plead in The: Mercy of God Psalms: Penitential Remorse: David Remorse: General Scriptures Concerning Repentance: Exemplified The Loving-Kindness of God: Saints: Look for Mercy Through The Mercy of God: should be Pleaded in Prayer