Psalms 51

Create in Me a Clean Heart

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Grace: Psalms 4:1, 119:124. Sin: Psalms 51:9, Isaiah 43:25, 44:22, Acts 3:19. Parallel theme: Psalms 69:16, 106:45, Lamentations 3:32, Colossians 2:14 +5

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sinSin: חַטָּאת (Chatta'ah). The Hebrew chatta'ah (חַטָּאת) means sin—missing the mark of God's standard. It encompasses rebellion, transgression, and falling short of divine holiness.. Sin: Acts 22:16, Revelation 1:5. Parallel theme: Psalms 51:7, Isaiah 1:16, Jeremiah 4:14, Ezekiel 36:25, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Revelation 7:14 +3

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Sin: Psalms 32:5, 38:18, Job 33:27, Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 59:12, Jeremiah 3:25. Parallel theme: Psalms 40:12 +2

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. Judgment: Psalms 50:4. Sin: Genesis 20:6, 39:9, Luke 15:21. Righteousness: Psalms 50:6, Acts 17:31, Romans 2:5, 3:4, Revelation 16:5. Parallel theme: Genesis 9:6 +5

5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquityIniquity: עָוֹן (Avon). The Hebrew avon (עָוֹן) encompasses iniquity, guilt, and its punishment—the twisted nature of sin. 'The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all' (Isaiah 53:6), Christ bearing our guilt and penalty.; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Sin: Romans 5:12. Parallel theme: Psalms 58:3, Genesis 5:3, 8:21, Job 14:4, John 3:6, Ephesians 2:3 +2

6 Behold, thou desirest truthTruth: אֱמֶת (Emet). The Hebrew emet (אֱמֶת) means truth or faithfulness—reliability and conformity to reality. God is true (emet), utterly faithful to His word and character. in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Truth: Psalms 15:2. Parallel theme: Psalms 5:9, 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Chronicles 29:17, Job 38:36, Proverbs 2:6, Luke 11:39, Romans 7:22, James 4:8, 1 Peter 3:4 +5

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Parallel theme: Exodus 12:22, Isaiah 1:18, Hebrews 9:19, 1 John 1:7, Revelation 1:5

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Parallel theme: Psalms 13:5, 30:11, 35:10, 38:3, Isaiah 35:10, Matthew 5:4, Luke 4:18 +2

9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Sin: Psalms 51:1, Isaiah 38:17, Jeremiah 16:17. Parallel theme: Colossians 2:14

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spiritSpirit: רוּחַ (Ruach). The Hebrew ruach (רוּחַ) means spirit, wind, or breath—invisible but powerful. It describes both the Holy Spirit and the human spirit. God's Spirit gives life and empowers His people. within me. References God: Matthew 5:8, Romans 12:2. Spirit: Ezekiel 11:19, 18:31, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 1:22. Creation: Proverbs 20:9. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 32:39, Acts 15:9, 2 Corinthians 5:17 +5

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holyHoly: קָדוֹשׁ (Qadosh). The Hebrew qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means holy or set apart—separated from common use for God's purposes. God is 'the Holy One of Israel,' utterly distinct from creation in moral perfection. spirit from me. Holy: Luke 11:13, John 14:26, Ephesians 4:30. Spirit: Genesis 6:3, 1 Samuel 10:10, 16:14, Romans 8:9. Parallel theme: Psalms 71:18, Judges 16:20, 2 Kings 13:23 +5

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Salvation: Psalms 13:5, 35:9, Isaiah 61:10, Luke 1:47, 1 Peter 1:5. Spirit: Romans 8:15, 2 Corinthians 3:17. Parallel theme: Psalms 119:133, Isaiah 41:10, Jude 1:24 +5

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Sin: Psalms 25:8, 32:5, Acts 3:19. Parallel theme: Psalms 19:7, 22:27, Isaiah 2:3, 6:10, Jeremiah 31:18, Luke 22:32, Acts 15:3 +5

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. Righteousness: Psalms 35:28, Romans 10:3. Sin: Psalms 26:9. Blood: Hosea 4:2. Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 12:9

15 O LordLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty., open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. Resurrection: Psalms 9:14, Hebrews 13:15. References Lord: Exodus 4:11, Ezekiel 3:27, 16:63, 29:21. Parallel theme: Psalms 119:13, 1 Samuel 2:9, Matthew 22:12, Mark 7:34 +5

16 For thou desirest not sacrificeSacrifice: זֶבַח (Zevach). The Hebrew zevach (זֶבַח) denotes a sacrifice or offering—an animal slaughtered for worship. Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowed Christ, 'the Lamb of God' (John 1:29).; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. Sacrifice: Psalms 40:6, 50:8, 1 Samuel 15:22, Proverbs 15:8, 21:27, Hosea 6:6. Parallel theme: Psalms 51:6, Jeremiah 7:27 +3

17 The sacrifices of GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity. are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. References God: Luke 15:10. Spirit: Psalms 34:18, Isaiah 66:2, Matthew 5:3, 1 Peter 2:5. Sacrifice: Psalms 107:22, Mark 12:33, Hebrews 13:16. Parallel theme: Psalms 102:17, 147:3 +5

18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Good: Luke 12:32, Ephesians 1:5, Philippians 2:13, 2 Thessalonians 1:11. Parallel theme: Psalms 25:22, 102:16

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 altarAltar: מִזְבֵּחַ (Mizbeach). The Hebrew mizbeach (מִזְבֵּחַ) means altar—from the root 'to slaughter.' Altars were places where sacrifices were offered to God, pointing forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice.. Righteousness: Psalms 4:5, Malachi 3:3. Sacrifice: Psalms 118:27, Romans 12:1, Ephesians 5:2