1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, (51-2) when the prophet Nathan came to him after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
(51-3) Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; blot out my transgressions according to Your great compassion!
2
(51-4) Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3
(51-5) For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4
(51-6) Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be shown to be just in Your judgment, and pure in Your condemnation.
5
(51-7) Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
6
(51-8) Behold, You desire truth in the inward being, and secretly You make wisdom known to me.
7
(51-9) Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow!
8
(51-10) Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have broken rejoice again!
9
(51-11) Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities!
10
(51-12) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me!
11
(51-13) Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your holy Spirit from me!
12
(51-14) Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit!
13
(51-15) Then I will teach Your ways to those who transgress, and sinners will turn back to You.
14
(51-16) Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of Your righteousness!
15
(51-17) O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise!
16
(51-18) For You do not delight in sacrifice; if I were to offer a burnt offering, You would not be pleased.
17
(51-19) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
18
(51-20) Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem!
19
(51-21) Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.
🕊️🙏📖 Summary of Psalm 51 – “David’s Sincere Prayer of Repentance”
Psalm 51 is one of the most well-known psalms of repentance, written by King David after being rebuked by the prophet Nathan for his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11–12). It is a tearful cry from a heart broken by sin, yet also full of hope in the mercy of the Lord.
This psalm is a model of true repentance — not merely regret, but a plea for restoration and renewal of the heart.
📌 1. A Plea for Mercy (verses 1–2)
➡️ “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love…”
➡️ David asks that his sins be blotted out and cleansed.
🎯 True repentance begins with full confession and trust in God’s love.
📌 2. Deep Confession of Sin (verses 3–6)
➡️ “I am aware of my transgressions… against You only have I sinned.”
➡️ David does not blame anyone else — he admits his own fault.
🎯 A repentant heart is a heart that does not make excuses or hide its wrong.
📌 3. A Prayer for Renewal of Heart (verses 7–12)
➡️ “Create in me a clean heart, O God…”
➡️ “Do not take Your holy Spirit from me.”
➡️ David longs for restored relationship, the joy of salvation, and a steadfast spirit.
🎯 The Lord does not only forgive, He also restores and renews.
📌 4. A Promise to Teach Others (verses 13–17)
➡️ David vows to teach sinners the way of the Lord.
➡️ “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit.”
🎯 The Lord values a broken heart more than outward sacrifice.
📌 5. Prayer for the Nation and True Worship (verses 18–19)
➡️ David closes with a prayer for Zion and that the people’s worship may be pleasing again.
🎯 Personal repentance has an effect on the restoration of the community.
📖 Main Teaching
- True repentance must be accompanied by awareness of sin and confession without justification
- God is more interested in a broken heart than in ritual worship
- The Lord is able to create a new heart and renew the joy of salvation
- After being forgiven, life must be used to declare His righteousness
- The Holy Spirit is precious — do not let Him be removed from our lives because of sin
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just…”
➡️ Just as with David, confession opens the way to forgiveness.
📖 Acts 3:19
“Therefore repent and turn back… so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
➡️ Renewal of heart and joy are the result of true repentance.
📖 Titus 3:5
“He saved us… through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
➡️ The creation of a new heart is the work of the Holy Spirit.
📖 Matthew 5:3–4
“Blessed are the poor in spirit… those who mourn…”
➡️ A broken and contrite heart is the foundation of spiritual blessing.
🕊️ “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love.” – Psalm 51:1
🕊️ “Against You only have I sinned…” – Psalm 51:4
🕊️ “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” – Psalm 51:10
🕊️ “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit…” – Psalm 51:17
