Psalms 51:2
What does Psalms 51:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 51:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 51:2 means
David continues his fervent prayer for cleansing, underscoring the depth of his need. He uses two strong verbs: "wash me thoroughly" and "cleanse me." The repetition emphasizes his desire for complete purification from the extensive defilement of his sin and iniquity. This isn't a superficial request, but a yearning for an internal scrubbing that goes beyond outward appearance, addressing the core of his wrongdoing. It reveals a deep awareness of the pervasive nature of his sin.
Psalms 51:2 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 · 2000Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let all my wrongdoing be washed away, and make me clean from evil.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, And from my sin cleanse me,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752When Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul: David went to the house of Achimelech.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Wash me fully from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Context
Following his initial appeal for mercy and the blotting out of transgressions in verse 1, David intensifies his request for purification. This verse moves from the idea of erasing a record of sin to a more personal, internal cleansing. It naturally leads into the subsequent verses where David acknowledges the precise nature and ever-present reality of his sin, showing *why* such thorough washing is necessary, as his guilt is ever before him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 10:21
and having a great priest over the house of God;
- 1 John 1:7
but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
- Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.
- Hebrews 9:13
For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh:
- Isaiah 1:16
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
- 1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.
Sermon ideas from Psalms 51:2
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Psalms 51:2 teaches us about confession
What Psalms 51:2 teaches us about repentance
What Psalms 51:2 teaches us about inward renewal
What Psalms 51:2 teaches us about true worship
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Psalms 51
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Psalms 51.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Joy
Joy in the Bible is more than mere happiness; it is a deep, abiding spiritual fruit, a gift from God’s presence.
Topic
Bible Verses About Original Sin
Original sin refers to the fallen spiritual condition of humanity as a result of Adam’s disobedience, impacting all people with a sinful nature.
Topic
Bible Verses About Repentance
Repentance in the Bible is a turning away from sin and toward God, marked by a change of heart and action.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Relapse and the Shame That Follows
Verses to read the morning after — when you fell again and don't know how to pray.
Verses for
Bible Verses for a Panic Attack at Night
Steady, slow verses to pray when your chest is tight and the house is dark.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Anxiety Before a Job Interview
Quiet your nerves and walk in with steady steps — six verses to pray on the way.