Psalm 51:6-16

6 Yet, you desire truth and sincerity. Deep down inside me you teach me wisdom.

7 Purify me from sin with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear [sounds of] joy and gladness. Let the bones that you have broken dance.

9 Hide your face from my sins, and wipe out all that I have done wrong.

10 Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a faithful spirit within me.

11 Do not force me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience.

13 [Then] I will teach your ways to those who are rebellious, and sinners will return to you.

14 Rescue me from the guilt of murder, O God, my savior. Let my tongue sing joyfully about your righteousness!

15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will tell about your praise.

16 You are not happy with any sacrifice. Otherwise, I would offer one [to you]. You are not pleased with burnt offerings.

Psalm 51:6-16 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.