Keraia
Psalm 51

Psalm 51:4

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

Translations

Modern
Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.
Traditional
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.
Literal
Against You, You alone, have I sinned, and have done the evil in your eyes, so that You are right when You speak, and You are pure when You judge.
Latin
Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te feci; ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum judicaris.

Original

Hebrew
English
Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.

Notes

Psalms 51:4

Against You, You only: This is an exaggeration. The psalmist knows he also sinned against people (2 Samuel 11:2–4, 15–17), but his sin against God is more important. He expects God to rebuke him and will accept whatever verdict God gives (see Romans 3:4).

Psalms 51:3–6

The psalmist accepts the results of his sin against God. He understands that he has no goodness without God's renewal.

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

Glossary

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

Topics

Conscience: Guilty Conviction of Sin Desire: Spiritual Feeling Guilty God: Judge, and his Justice Homicide: David's Repentance For, and Confession of, the Murder of Uriah Prayer of David Prayer: Confession In Remorse: General Scriptures Concerning Repentance: Exemplified Sin: Confession of The Justice of God: Acknowledge Wild Parties