Rare snow on the hills around Jerusalem at gray dawn, one dark old olive tree and a low stone wall in a silent white field.

Lament · David

Psalm 51

What David prayed after Nathan confronted him, and what you can pray when you’ve run out of excuses.

19 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'
42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressurePsalm 51
73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom falls
90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last Hallelujah

Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba.

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to Your loving devotion;

according to Your great compassion,

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me clean of my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

Against You, You only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in Your sight,

so that You may be proved right when You speak

and blameless when You judge.

Surely I was brought forth in iniquity;

I was sinful when my mother conceived me.

A small bunch of gray-green hyssop tied with thread beside a plain clay bowl of clear water on a limestone ledge.

Surely You desire truth in the inmost being;

You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones You have crushed rejoice.

Hide Your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquities.

Question

Quick question

Think about who was hurt.

David wronged Bathsheba and Uriah. Why does he say “Against You, You only”?

A clay lamp still burning on the floor of a dark stone room, the plank door beyond it standing a little open on gray morning.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Your presence;

take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

and sustain me with a willing spirit.

0:14

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

and sinners will return to You.

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

Psalm 51:10

Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God,

the God of my salvation,

and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare Your praise.

A plain clay jar cracked through, set carefully on a stone ledge, with a plain tent and thin altar smoke out of focus behind it.

For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

You take no pleasure in burnt offerings.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and a contrite heart,

O God, You will not despise.

In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;

build up the walls of Jerusalem.

Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,

in whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on Your altar.

Pray

Your own name

Pray verses 10–12 slowly, in your own name, for the thing you already know about.

You’ve experienced

Psalm 51

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

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

Psalm 51:10

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