Psalms 51:9
What does Psalms 51:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 51:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 51:9 means
David continues his heartfelt appeal for God's complete forgiveness by asking God to "Hide thy face from my sins" and "blot out all mine iniquities." The imagery of God hiding His face implies a desire for God to no longer look upon his transgressions with judgment or disapproval. The request to "blot out" reiterates the plea from verse 1, emphasizing a thorough erasure of the record and memory of his wrongdoing. This speaks to a longing for total removal of the stain and guilt of sin, rather than merely overlooking it.
Psalms 51:9 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 · 2000Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let your face be turned from my wrongdoing, and take away all my sins.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Hide Thy face from my sin. And all mine iniquities blot out.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold the man that made not God his helper: But trusted in the abundance of his riches: and prevailed in his vanity.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Context
This verse builds directly on David's requests for cleansing and the restoration of joy in the preceding verses, by focusing on the removal of the sin itself that caused such distress. It’s a direct appeal for God to stop regarding his transgressions, moving into a more comprehensive request for total spiritual renewal. This direct appeal for God to actively blot out his sins immediately precedes David's famous prayer for a clean heart and a renewed spirit, indicating a progression from forgiveness to profound internal transformation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Micah 7:18
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in lovingkindness.
- Isaiah 38:17
Behold, it wasformypeacethatI had great bitterness: But thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption; For thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
- Colossians 2:14
having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;
- Psalms 51:1
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
- Jeremiah 16:17
For mine eyes are upon all their ways; they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity concealed from mine eyes.
Sermon ideas from Psalms 51:9
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Psalms 51:9 teaches us about confession
What Psalms 51:9 teaches us about repentance
What Psalms 51:9 teaches us about inward renewal
What Psalms 51:9 teaches us about true worship
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