Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Psalms » Chapter 51 » Verse 1-19

Psalms 51:1-19 King James Version (KJV)

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

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.

5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

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

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

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 altar.


Psalms 51:1-19 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 [[To the chief Musician, H5329 A Psalm H4210 of David, H1732 when Nathan H5416 the prophet H5030 came H935 unto him, after he had gone in H935 to Bathsheba.]] H1339 Have mercy H2603 upon me, O God, H430 according to thy lovingkindness: H2617 according unto the multitude H7230 of thy tender mercies H7356 blot out H4229 my transgressions. H6588

2 Wash H3526 me throughly H7235 from mine iniquity, H5771 and cleanse H2891 me from my sin. H2403

3 For I acknowledge H3045 my transgressions: H6588 and my sin H2403 is ever H8548 before me.

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, H2398 and done H6213 this evil H7451 in thy sight: H5869 that thou mightest be justified H6663 when thou speakest, H1696 and be clear H2135 when thou judgest. H8199

5 Behold, I was shapen H2342 in iniquity; H5771 and in sin H2399 did my mother H517 conceive H3179 me.

6 Behold, thou desirest H2654 truth H571 in the inward parts: H2910 and in the hidden H5640 part thou shalt make me to know H3045 wisdom. H2451

7 Purge H2398 me with hyssop, H231 and I shall be clean: H2891 wash H3526 me, and I shall be whiter H3835 than snow. H7950

8 Make me to hear H8085 joy H8342 and gladness; H8057 that the bones H6106 which thou hast broken H1794 may rejoice. H1523

9 Hide H5641 thy face H6440 from my sins, H2399 and blot out H4229 all mine iniquities. H5771

10 Create H1254 in me a clean H2889 heart, H3820 O God; H430 and renew H2318 a right H3559 spirit H7307 within H7130 me.

11 Cast me not away H7993 from thy presence; H6440 and take H3947 not thy holy H6944 spirit H7307 from me.

12 Restore H7725 unto me the joy H8342 of thy salvation; H3468 and uphold H5564 me with thy free H5081 spirit. H7307

13 Then will I teach H3925 transgressors H6586 thy ways; H1870 and sinners H2400 shall be converted H7725 unto thee.

14 Deliver H5337 me from bloodguiltiness, H1818 O God, H430 thou God H430 of my salvation: H8668 and my tongue H3956 shall sing aloud H7442 of thy righteousness. H6666

15 O Lord, H136 open H6605 thou my lips; H8193 and my mouth H6310 shall shew forth H5046 thy praise. H8416

16 For thou desirest H2654 not sacrifice; H2077 else would I give H5414 it: thou delightest H7521 not in burnt offering. H5930

17 The sacrifices H2077 of God H430 are a broken H7665 spirit: H7307 a broken H7665 and a contrite H1794 heart, H3820 O God, H430 thou wilt not despise. H959

18 Do good H3190 in thy good pleasure H7522 unto Zion: H6726 build H1129 thou the walls H2346 of Jerusalem. H3389

19 Then shalt thou be pleased H2654 with the sacrifices H2077 of righteousness, H6664 with burnt offering H5930 and whole H3632 burnt offering: H5930 then shall they offer H5927 bullocks H6499 upon thine altar. H4196


Psalms 51:1-19 American Standard (ASV)

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me.

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in thy sight; That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, And be clear when thou judgest.

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; And in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness, That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9 Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; `And' my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15 O Lord, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall show forth thy praise.

16 For thou delightest not in sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: Build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then will thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, In burnt-offering and in whole burnt-offering: Then will they offer bullocks upon thine altar. Psalm 52 For the Chief Musician. Maschil of David; when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Abimelech.


Psalms 51:1-19 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 To the Overseer. -- A Psalm of David, in the coming inn unto him of Nathan the prophet, when he hath gone in unto Bath-Sheba. Favour me, O God, according to Thy kindness, According to the abundance of Thy mercies, Blot out my transgressions.

2 Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, And from my sin cleanse me,

3 For my transgressions I do know, And my sin `is' before me continually.

4 Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, And done the evil thing in Thine eyes, So that Thou art righteous in Thy words, Thou art pure in Thy judging.

5 Lo, in iniquity I have been brought forth, And in sin doth my mother conceive me.

6 Lo, truth Thou hast desired in the inward parts, And in the hidden part Wisdom Thou causest me to know.

7 Thou cleansest me with hyssop and I am clean, Washest me, and than snow I am whiter.

8 Thou causest me to hear joy and gladness, Thou makest joyful bones Thou hast bruised.

9 Hide Thy face from my sin. And all mine iniquities blot out.

10 A clean heart prepare for me, O God, And a right spirit renew within me.

11 Cast me not forth from Thy presence, And Thy Holy Spirit take not from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, And a willing spirit doth sustain me.

13 I teach transgressors Thy ways, And sinners unto Thee do return.

14 Deliver me from blood, O God, God of my salvation, My tongue singeth of Thy righteousness.

15 O Lord, my lips thou dost open, And my mouth declareth Thy praise.

16 For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I give `it', Burnt-offering Thou acceptest not.

17 The sacrifices of God `are' a broken spirit, A heart broken and bruised, O God, Thou dost not despise.

18 Do good in Thy good pleasure with Zion, Thou dost build the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then Thou desirest sacrifices of righteousness, Burnt-offering, and whole burnt-offering, Then they offer bullocks on thine altar!


Psalms 51:1-19 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 {To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.} Be gracious unto me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according to the abundance of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me fully from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is continually before me.

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in thy sight; that thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, be clear when thou judgest.

5 Behold, in iniquity was I brought forth, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, thou wilt have truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden [part] thou wilt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear gladness and joy; [that] the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

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

11 Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not the spirit of thy holiness from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and let a willing spirit sustain me.

13 I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall return unto thee.

14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15 Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise.

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then shalt thou have sacrifices of righteousness, burnt-offering, and whole burnt-offering; then shall they offer up bullocks upon thine altar.


Psalms 51:1-19 World English Bible (WEB)

1 > Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.

4 Against you, and you only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in your sight; That you may be proved right when you speak, And justified when you judge.

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me.

6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

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

8 Let me hear joy and gladness, That the bones which you have broken may rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins, And blot out all of my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

11 Don't throw me from your presence, And don't take your holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation. My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

15 Lord, open my lips. My mouth shall declare your praise.

16 For you don't delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

18 Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, In burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.


Psalms 51:1-19 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 <To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.> Have pity on me, O God, in your mercy; out of a full heart, take away my sin.

2 Let all my wrongdoing be washed away, and make me clean from evil.

3 For I am conscious of my error; my sin is ever before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I done wrong, working that which is evil in your eyes; so that your words may be seen to be right, and you may be clear when you are judging.

5 Truly, I was formed in evil, and in sin did my mother give me birth.

6 Your desire is for what is true in the inner parts: in the secrets of my soul you will give me knowledge of wisdom.

7 Make me free from sin with hyssop: let me be washed whiter than snow.

8 Make me full of joy and rapture; so that the bones which have been broken may be glad.

9 Let your face be turned from my wrongdoing, and take away all my sins.

10 Make a clean heart in me, O God; give me a right spirit again.

11 Do not put me away from before you, or take your holy spirit from me.

12 Give me back the joy of your salvation; let a free spirit be my support.

13 Then will I make your ways clear to wrongdoers; and sinners will be turned to you.

14 Be my saviour from violent death, O God, the God of my salvation; and my tongue will give praise to your righteousness.

15 O Lord, let my lips be open, so that my mouth may make clear your praise.

16 You have no desire for an offering or I would give it; you have no delight in burned offerings.

17 The offerings of God are a broken spirit; a broken and sorrowing heart, O God, you will not put from you.

18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure, building up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then you will have delight in the offerings of righteousness, in burned offerings and offerings of beasts; then they will make offerings of oxen on your altar.

Commentary on Psalms 51 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 51

Ps 51:1-19. On the occasion, compare 2Sa 11:12. The Psalm illustrates true repentance, in which are comprised conviction, confession, sorrow, prayer for mercy, and purposes of amendment, and it is accompanied by a lively faith.

1-4. A plea for mercy is a confession of guilt.

blot out—as from a register.

transgressions—literally, "rebellions" (Ps 19:13; 32:1).

2. Wash me—Purity as well as pardon is desired by true penitents.

3. For … before me—Conviction precedes forgiveness; and, as a gift of God, is a plea for it (2Sa 12:13; Ps 32:5; 1Jo 1:9).

4. Against thee—chiefly, and as sins against others are violations of God's law, in one sense only.

that … judgest—that is, all palliation of his crime is excluded; it is the design in making this confession to recognize God's justice, however severe the sentence.

5, 6. His guilt was aggravated by his essential, native sinfulness, which is as contrary to God's requisitions of inward purity as are outward sins to those for right conduct.

6. thou shalt make, &c.—may be taken to express God's gracious purpose in view of His strict requisition; a purpose of which David might have availed himself as a check to his native love for sin, and, in not doing so, aggravated his guilt.

truth … and …wisdom—are terms often used for piety (compare Job 28:28; Ps 119:30).

7-12. A series of prayers for forgiveness and purifying.

Purge … hyssop—The use of this plant in the ritual (Ex 12:22; Nu 19:6, 18) suggests the idea of atonement as prominent here; "purge" refers to vicarious satisfaction (Nu 19:17-20).

8. Make … joy—by forgiving me, which will change distress to joy.

9. Hide, &c.—Turn from beholding.

10. Create—a work of almighty power.

in me—literally, "to me," or, "for me"; bestow as a gift, a heart free from taint of sin (Ps 24:4; 73:1).

renew—implies that he had possessed it; the essential principle of a new nature had not been lost, but its influence interrupted (Lu 22:32); for Ps 51:11 shows that he had not lost God's presence and Spirit (1Sa 16:13), though he had lost the "joy of his salvation" (Ps 51:12), for whose return he prays.

right spirit—literally, "constant," "firm," not yielding to temptation.

12. free spirit—"thy" ought not to be supplied, for the word "free" is, literally, "willing," and "spirit" is that of David. "Let a willing spirit uphold me," that is, with a soul willingly conformed to God's law, he would be preserved in a right course of conduct.

13. Then—Such will be the effect of this gracious work.

ways—of providence and human duty (Ps 18:21, 30; 32:8; Lu 22:32).

14. Deliver—or, "Free me" (Ps 39:8) from the guilt of murder (2Sa 12:9, 10; Ps 5:6).

righteousness—as in Ps 7:17; 31:1.

15. open … lips—by removing my sense of guilt.

16. Praise is better than sacrifice (Ps 50:14), and implying faith, penitence, and love, glorifies God. In true penitents the joys of pardon mingle with sorrow for sin.

18. Do good, &c.—Visit not my sin on Thy Church.

build … walls—is to show favor; compare Ps 89:40, for opposite form and idea.

19. God reconciled, material sacrifices will be acceptable (Ps 4:5; compare Isa 1:11-17).