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Summary

Psalm 51:1–2 – Mercy for a sinner What happens: David pleads for mercy according to God’s steadfast love. He asks to be washed from transgression and cleansed from sin. What it means: God’s love is the ground of forgiveness. Sin defiles and only God can cleanse.


Psalm 51:3–6 – Honest confession What happens: David admits his sin and says it is against God that he has sinned. He acknowledges God’s justice and the need for truth in the inner being. What it means: God is just and desires integrity. True repentance owns guilt without excuse.


Psalm 51:7–12 – Create in me a clean heart What happens: He asks to be purified, to have a clean heart, a right spirit, restored joy, and a willing spirit. He begs not to be cast from God’s presence. What it means: God renews what sin has broken. Restoration comes from God’s Spirit and grace.


Psalm 51:13–17 – Broken and contrite What happens: David vows to teach sinners and sing of God’s righteousness. He says God delights in a broken and contrite heart more than sacrifice. What it means: God values humble hearts over rituals. Mercy received becomes ministry to others.


Psalm 51:18–19 – Do good to Zion What happens: He prays for Zion’s good so that sacrifices may again be offered rightly. What it means: Personal repentance seeks the good of God’s people. Forgiven lives restore worship.


Application

  • Bring sin into the light and confess it to God.
  • Ask the Spirit to renew your heart and joy.
  • Serve others out of the mercy you have received.

Bible

1To 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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