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.
Overview of Psalm 51
Psalm 51 is one of the most well-known penitential psalms, attributed to King David. It is a heartfelt plea for mercy and forgiveness following his sin with Bathsheba and the arranged death of her husband, Uriah. This psalm reflects deep remorse and a desire for spiritual renewal.
Structure of the Psalm
The psalm can be divided into several key sections:
- Appeal for Mercy (Verses 1-2)
- David acknowledges his sinfulness and pleads for God’s mercy.
- He appeals to God’s lovingkindness and abundant compassion.
- Confession of Sin (Verses 3-6)
- David openly confesses his transgressions, recognizing the weight of his sin.
- He acknowledges that his sin is ultimately against God.
- David admits his sinful nature from birth, emphasizing the depth of his need for redemption.
- Request for Cleansing and Renewal (Verses 7-12)
- David asks to be cleansed and purified, using imagery of hyssop and washing.
- He seeks joy and restoration of the Holy Spirit within him.
- David desires to be renewed and to maintain a right spirit.
- Commitment to Teach and Praise (Verses 13-15)
- Once restored, David vows to teach others about God’s ways.
- He expresses a commitment to praise God and share his testimony.
- Reflection on Sacrifice and True Worship (Verses 16-19)
- David reflects on the nature of true sacrifice, emphasizing a broken spirit and contrite heart.
- He concludes with a prayer for Zion, highlighting the importance of communal worship and restoration.
Theological Themes
- Sin and Repentance
Psalm 51 emphasizes the importance of recognizing one’s sin and the need for genuine repentance. David’s acknowledgment of his wrongdoing serves as a model for believers seeking forgiveness.
- God’s Mercy and Grace
The psalm highlights the nature of God’s mercy, showing that no matter the depth of sin, God’s compassion is greater. This theme reassures believers of the possibility of redemption.
- Spiritual Renewal
David’s plea for a clean heart and renewed spirit underscores the transformative power of God’s forgiveness, suggesting that true repentance leads to spiritual renewal.
- True Worship
The psalm teaches that God desires a heart of repentance and sincerity over ritual sacrifices, emphasizing the importance of inner transformation over outward expressions of faith.
Literary Devices
- Imagery
David uses vivid imagery, such as “wash me” and “create in me a clean heart,” to convey his deep desire for purification and renewal.
- Parallelism
The psalm employs parallelism, a common feature in Hebrew poetry, to emphasize key ideas, such as the relationship between sin and the need for cleansing.
- Repetition
Repetition of phrases like “Have mercy on me” reinforces the urgency and sincerity of David’s plea for forgiveness.
Conclusion
Psalm 51 serves as a profound expression of repentance and the human longing for forgiveness and renewal. Its themes of sin, mercy, and true worship resonate deeply with believers, providing a framework for understanding the nature of sin and the transformative power of God’s grace. The psalm remains a powerful reminder of the importance of confession and the hope of restoration in the life of faith.
