Psalms 51:14
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
Original Language Analysis
הַצִּ֘ילֵ֤נִי
Deliver
H5337
הַצִּ֘ילֵ֤נִי
Deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
1 of 8
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
מִדָּמִ֨ים׀
me from bloodguiltiness
H1818
מִדָּמִ֨ים׀
me from bloodguiltiness
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
2 of 8
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
O God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
O God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 8
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
O God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
O God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 8
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
תְּשׁוּעָתִ֑י
of my salvation
H8668
תְּשׁוּעָתִ֑י
of my salvation
Strong's:
H8668
Word #:
5 of 8
rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)
תְּרַנֵּ֥ן
shall sing aloud
H7442
תְּרַנֵּ֥ן
shall sing aloud
Strong's:
H7442
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e., to shout (usually for joy)
Cross References
2 Samuel 12:9Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.Psalms 35:28And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.Psalms 26:9Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:Romans 10:3For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.Hosea 4:2By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.
Historical Context
Uriah's death by David's arrangement (2 Samuel 11:14-17) was murder, requiring blood-atonement. David has no sacrifice sufficient; only divine mercy can cleanse blood-guilt.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does David specifically name 'bloodguiltiness' rather than speaking generally?
- How does deliverance from guilt lead to singing of God's righteousness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The specific plea: 'Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God.' David explicitly names his sin--Uriah's murder. 'Bloodguiltiness' (damim, bloods) emphasizes violence and guilt. Only God can deliver from such guilt. The promised response: 'my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.'