Psalms 51:1
What does Psalms 51:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 51:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 51:1 means
David begins his prayer by appealing directly to God’s character, not his own merit. He asks for mercy based on God's "lovingkindness" (Hebrew: *hesed*), a covenant loyalty that is steadfast and abundant. His plea is for God to completely remove his transgressions, likening his sins to something written that can be erased or blotted out, indicating a desire for absolute forgiveness and removal of the stain of guilt. This sets the tone for a psalm of deep and genuine repentance, recognizing God's immense capacity for grace.
Psalms 51:1 in context
Psalms 51 — A Broken and Contrite Heart
The penitential psalm of David, written after Nathan the prophet confronted him over his sin with Bathsheba. There is no excuse-making here, only naked confession: 'against thee, thee only, have I sinned.' David asks not merely for forgiveness but for a clean heart and a renewed spirit. He understands that God will not despise a broken and contrite heart — and that the only sacrifice God ultimately wants is a humbled life.
- Confession
- Repentance
- Inward renewal
- True worship
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Have pity on me, O God, in your mercy; out of a full heart, take away my sin.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862To the Overseer. --A Psalm of David, in the coming in 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.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Unto the end, understanding for David,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Be gracious unto me, OGod, according to thy loving-kindness; according to the abundance of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Context
This opening verse immediately establishes the psalm's theme: a desperate plea for God's mercy due to profound sin. It follows the historical context of David's sin with Bathsheba and Uriah, setting the stage for his confession. The call for God's lovingkindness introduces the foundation upon which David builds his entire prayer for purification and restoration, flowing directly into further requests for cleansing.
v.1This passage
v.2Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 4:5
and cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee; for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
- Psalms 69:16
Answer me, O Jehovah; for thy lovingkindness is good: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies turn thou unto me.
- Isaiah 44:22
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
- Ephesians 1:6
to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:
- Psalms 109:21
But deal thou with me, O Jehovah the Lord, for thy name’s sake: Because thy lovingkindness is good, deliver thou me;
- Psalms 5:7
But as for me, in the abundance of thy lovingkindness will I come into thy house: In thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
Sermon ideas from Psalms 51:1
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Psalms 51:1 teaches us about confession
What Psalms 51:1 teaches us about repentance
What Psalms 51:1 teaches us about inward renewal
What Psalms 51:1 teaches us about true worship
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