Psalm 51

Psalm 51 is a prayer of repentance and a plea for God's mercy after King David's affair with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband, Uriah. David acknowledges his sinfulness and seeks God's forgiveness, asking to be cleansed and renewed. He acknowledges that only God has the power to purify him and create a clean heart within him.

Psalm, 51

19
verses
2
min

Bible version

A Prayer for Forgiveness

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.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
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.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, 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.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore 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.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
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.

Commentary

This psalm is a powerful reminder of the importance of acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness. It shows us that even the greatest leaders and religious figures are not immune to sin, but that we have the ability to turn to God and ask for forgiveness. The psalm also highlights the transformative power of asking for forgiveness, as David acknowledges that God can create a new heart within him. Overall, Psalm 51 teaches us about the nature of sin and the importance of turning to God for redemption.

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FAQ

Assuming a reader with an average reading speed of 300 WPM reads the Psalm, chapter 51 it would take approximately 2 minutes to finish.

There are 19 verses in Psalm, chapter 51.