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Psalm 51

1For 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 to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.

3For I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me.

1To 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.

2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Commentary · verses 1-3

David was aware of his sin (2 Samuel 12) and how it was in need of cleansing.

4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in thy sight; That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, And be clear when thou judgest.

4Against 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.

Commentary · verse 4

David recognized his sin was against God. Paul referenced this verse in Romans 3:4.

5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.

6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; And in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom.

5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Commentary · verses 5-6

God desired truth and gave us the wisdom to be truthful.

7Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8Make me to hear joy and gladness, That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities.

10Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.

7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Commentary · verses 7-10

David knew that the cause of his sin was the state of his heart. David wanted his heart cleaned because this would cause his actions to be pure.

11Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy Spirit from me.

11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Commentary · verse 11

David had the Holy Spirit. This was unusual during the Dispensation of the Law when the Holy Spirit was primarily on the prophets.

12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit.

13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee.

12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Commentary · verses 12-13

David knew he would need to be restored before he could help others.

14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; And my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15O Lord, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall show forth thy praise.

16For thou delightest not in sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.

17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Commentary · verses 14-17

God would not despise a person who was continually being broken, a state of continual humility.

Doctrines on this passage

18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: Build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then wilt thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, In burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering: Then will they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then 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 · verses 18-19

In the next psalm, the situation with Doeg the Edomite was covered in 1 Samuel 21 and 1 Samuel 22. It was the first time David acted deceitfully. Ahimelech was the priest that gave David the showbread and Goliath's sword. Doeg saw David and told Saul...

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