Psalms 51:15
What does Psalms 51:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 51:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 51:15 means
David, still burdened by the shame of his sin, implores the Lord to "open thou my lips," so that his "mouth shall show forth thy praise." This indicates that his spiritual paralysis due to guilt has silenced his capacity for genuine worship and proclamation. He recognizes that only God, through forgiveness and restoration, can break this silence and enable him to joyfully declare God's goodness. It's a prayer for renewed freedom to express heartfelt adoration and testimony.
Psalms 51:15 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 · 2000O Lord, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
KJV
King James Version · 1611O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901O Lord, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949O Lord, let my lips be open, so that my mouth may make clear your praise.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862O Lord, my lips thou dost open, And my mouth declareth Thy praise.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not available in this translation
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
Context
After asking for deliverance from bloodguiltiness and promising to sing God's righteousness in verse 14, David now realizes he needs divine intervention to actually fulfill that promise. This verse explains that his mouth is effectively sealed by his sin, requiring God's action to enable praise. This leads directly into verses 16-17, where he explains *what kind* of praise and sacrifice God truly desires, shifting from an external act of praise to the internal condition that makes true worship possible.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 29:21
In that day will I cause a horn to bud forth unto the house of Israel, and I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I am Jehovah.
- Ezekiel 16:63
that thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more, because of thy shame, when I have forgiven thee all that thou hast done, saith the Lord Jehovah.
- Psalms 119:13
With my lips have I declared All the ordinances of thy mouth.
- Hebrews 13:15
Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.
- Matthew 22:12
and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless.
- Genesis 44:16
And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s bondmen, both we, and he also in whose hand the cup is found.
Sermon ideas from Psalms 51:15
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Psalms 51:15 teaches us about confession
What Psalms 51:15 teaches us about repentance
What Psalms 51:15 teaches us about inward renewal
What Psalms 51:15 teaches us about true worship
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