Psalms 51:1-10

1 God, show me your favor in keeping with your faithful love. Because your love is so tender and kind, wipe out my lawless acts.

2 Wash away all of the evil things I've done. Make me pure from my sin.

3 I know the lawless acts I've committed. I can't forget my sin.

4 You are the one I've really sinned against. I've done what is evil in your sight. So you are right when you sentence me. You are fair when you judge me.

5 I know I've been a sinner ever since I was born. I've been a sinner ever since my mother became pregnant with me.

6 I know that you want truth to be in my heart. You teach me wisdom deep down inside me.

7 Make me pure by sprinkling me with hyssop plant. Then I will be clean. Wash me. Then I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear you say, "Your sins are forgiven." That will bring me joy and gladness. Let the body you have broken be glad.

9 Take away all of my sins. Wipe away all of the evil things I've done.

10 God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you.

Psalms 51:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. The occasion of this psalm was the sin of David with Bathsheba, signified by "going in to her"; an euphemism for "lying with her"; which sin was a very aggravated one, she being another man's wife, and the wife of a servant and soldier of his, who was at the same time exposing his life for his king and country's good; and David besides had many wives, and was also king of Israel, and should have set a better example to his subjects; and it was followed with other sins, as the murder of Uriah, and the death of several others; with scandal to religion, and with security and impenitence in him for a long time, until Nathan the prophet was sent to him of God, to awaken him to a sense of his sin; which he immediately acknowledged, and showed true repentance for it: upon which, either while Nathan was present, or after he was gone, he penned this psalm; that it might remain on record, as a testification of his repentance, and for the instruction of such as should fall into sin, how to behave, where to apply, and for their comfort. The history of all this may be seen in the eleventh and twelfth chapters of the second book of Samuel.