📖 Psalms — Chapter 51 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Psalms 51:1 Have mercy upon me, RO God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Psalms 51:2 RWash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalms 51:3 RFor I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psalms 51:4 RAgainst 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.
Psalms 51:5 Behold, I was Rshapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother Tconceive me.
Psalms 51:6 RBehold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psalms 51:7 RPurge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalms 51:8 RMake me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Psalms 51:9 RHide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Psalms 51:10 RCreate in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a Tright spirit within me.
Psalms 51:11 RCast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psalms 51:12 RRestore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psalms 51:13 RThen will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Psalms 51:14 RDeliver me from Tbloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
Psalms 51:15 RO Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
Psalms 51:16 For thou Rdesirest not sacrifice; Telse would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
Psalms 51:17 The Rsacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psalms 51:18 Do good in Rthy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Psalms 51:19 Then shalt thou be Rpleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Psalms 51:1–6 — Confession before the merciful God
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The speaker asks for cleansing on the basis of God's lovingkindness, acknowledges transgression, and accepts divine judgment. Saying he has sinned against God emphasizes sin's deepest accountability; it does not erase the harm done to human victims. God desires inward truth, so repentance reaches beyond appearances.
Key Truth: Repentance faces sin honestly and appeals to God's mercy.
Check What You Remember
1. What does the speaker ask God to blot out? (Psalms 51:1)
Find it in Psalms 51:1 (KJV).
2. What is ever before him? (Psalms 51:3)
Find it in Psalms 51:3 (KJV).
3. Where does God desire truth? (Psalms 51:6)
Find it in Psalms 51:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Psalms 51:7–12 — A clean heart and restored joy
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Cleansing images of hyssop and snow lead to a request for a newly created clean heart and renewed spirit. The speaker longs for God's presence and the joy of salvation. His appeal seeks inward renewal rather than simply relief from consequences, grounding restoration in God's gracious action.
Key Truth: Ask God for renewal within, not only outward relief.
Check What You Remember
1. What plant is named for purging? (Psalms 51:7)
Find it in Psalms 51:7 (KJV).
2. What kind of heart does he ask God to create? (Psalms 51:10)
Find it in Psalms 51:10 (KJV).
3. What joy does he ask restored? (Psalms 51:12)
Find it in Psalms 51:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Psalms 51:13–19 — Repentance opens toward praise and others
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The speaker anticipates teaching sinners, singing righteousness, and praising with opened lips. A broken and contrite heart is the sacrifice God will not despise. The prayer ends with concern for Zion and renewed worship, showing that personal repentance should reach beyond self-concern toward faithful service.
Key Truth: God receives the contrite heart and renews its praise.
Check What You Remember
1. Whom will he teach God's ways? (Psalms 51:13)
Find it in Psalms 51:13 (KJV).
2. What does he ask God to open? (Psalms 51:15)
Find it in Psalms 51:15 (KJV).
3. What kind of heart will God not despise? (Psalms 51:17)
Find it in Psalms 51:17 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
2 Samuel 12:13 — David's confession to Nathan recognizes his sin against the Lord.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where do you need honest confession, concern for those harmed, and God's renewal of your heart?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does acknowledgment answer the appeal for blotting out sin?
2. How does inward truth deepen the cleansing request?
3. How does renewal differ from external relief alone?
4. What future service follows restored salvation’s joy?
5. How does the sacrifice contrast distinguish contrition?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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