Psalms 51:10
What does Psalms 51:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 51:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 51:10 means
David's prayer reaches a profound depth, moving beyond mere forgiveness to a desire for total internal transformation. He asks God to "Create in me a clean heart" and "renew a right spirit within me." The word "create" (Hebrew: *bara*) is significant, implying an act that only God can perform—a new spiritual creation, not just a cleansing of what already exists. This isn't about self-improvement but a divine work that produces a pure heart and a steadfast, willing spirit, emphasizing God's sole power to change the innermost being.
Psalms 51:10 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 · 2000Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Make a clean heart in me, O God; give me a right spirit again.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862A clean heart prepare for me, O God, And a right spirit renew within me.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever, yea for ever and ever.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Create in me a clean heart, OGod, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Context
Following his earnest plea for God to blot out his sins in verse 9, David now boldly asks for a radical, internal transformation. This verse marks a pivotal shift from the removal of sin to the positive impartation of righteousness and a renewed spiritual nature. This desire for a "clean heart" and a "right spirit" logically leads into his further prayers in verse 11, where he asks for the preservation of God's presence and Holy Spirit, recognizing that such renewal requires continued divine sustenance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 13:27
I have seen thine abominations, even thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, on the hills in the field. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! thou wilt not be made clean; how long shall it yet be?
- Jeremiah 32:39
and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
- Ezekiel 11:19
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh;
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.
- Colossians 3:10
and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:
- 1 Kings 15:3
And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God, as the heart of David his father.
Sermon ideas from Psalms 51:10
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Psalms 51:10 teaches us about confession
What Psalms 51:10 teaches us about repentance
What Psalms 51:10 teaches us about inward renewal
What Psalms 51:10 teaches us about true worship
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