Psalm 51 Study Notes

Ps 51 title This psalm has a clearly defined historical setting, which was David’s confession of his sins after being confronted by the prophet Nathan (2Sm 12:1; the entire background of the sins is in 2Sm 11-12). As in other psalms with a specific setting (such as Ps 18), the language of the psalm is general enough to be applied in other contexts. This fits the purpose of the psalms and their various applications.

51:1-2 Blot out . . . wash away, and cleanse are terms for forgiveness, which is David’s main plea (see note at 32:1-2 for similar terms). He relied completely on God’s mercy, which is evident in the terms gracious . . . faithful love, and abundant compassion. In David’s case, his sins were severe enough that sacrifice was not acceptable (v. 16). According to God’s laws, deliberate and premeditated sins such as adultery and murder were referred to as sins of “the high hand” (cp. “defiantly” in Nm 15:30-31). Their punishment was being “cut off” from the community, which in many cases meant death (see note at Ps 31:22).

51:3 Verses 3-5 include the recognition of sin without specifying the sins, allowing this psalm to be used in a variety of contexts (see cross reference at title). My rebellion is in the emphatic position in the Hebrew text, showing that this is the main focus of attention in this confession.

51:4 The statement against you . . . alone does not mean that others were not involved in the effects of the sin, but that even in sinning against others the ultimate affront was against God. This was clearly David’s emphasis when he was confronted with this sin (2Sm 12:13).

51:5 This verse has prompted a variety of interpretations. Some have interpreted it to mean that marriage and childbearing are a curse; this is untenable in light of the rest of Scripture (127:3; Heb 13:4). Another interpretation is that this refers to a specific sin, perhaps adultery, committed by David’s mother; but there is no evidence of this in the biblical texts. Others connect this verse with ceremonial uncleanness in childbirth (Lv 12:2,5; 15:18), but this is not the same as sin. Some say David is using rhetorical overstatement to describe his sinfulness. One of the most common interpretations in Christian history is that this verse teaches the doctrine of original sin. While not aiming to strictly identify the origin of human sinfulness with events at biological conception, David recognizes that sin pervades humankind as a universal condition from the very outset of our existence. Sin is everywhere and in everyone, and David confessed that it had been with him since birth. Far from forming the basis of an excuse (i.e., “Why should I be blamed for my sins when I was born this way?”), David’s confession contrasts the “blameless” (Ps 51:4) ways of God with the innately evil ways of humanity.

51:6 God desires obedience to his commands from within (with integrity). The Lord is the source of wisdom (Pr 2:6), but it must be communicated to a person’s heart. This is similar to the idea of God’s commands residing in the heart (see note at Ps 37:30-31).

51:7 The use of hyssop can be seen in Ex 12:22 and Nm 19:18.

51:8 Bones are often mentioned in the context of suffering (see note at 34:19-20).

51:9 Turning away the face implies forgiving and forgetting (vv. 1-2).

51:10 The renewal of one’s heart and spirit are common images representing not only forgiveness (vv. 1-2,7-9) but also a change that enables a person to live in obedience to the Lord’s commands (1Sm 10:6,9; Jr 32:39; Ezk 36:26). Note also the use of “willing spirit” in Ps 51:12.

51:11 Holy Spirit is taken by some to mean the Lord’s presence. However, in the larger context of the biblical text, it seems to refer to God himself (Is 63:10-14) in the same way that “heart” and “spirit” can refer to people. The division among the persons of the Godhead (the Trinity) is not a concept developed in the OT, although texts such as this allow for the establishment of the doctrine as God’s revelation progresses through the NT (e.g., Mt 3:16-17, where Father, Son, and Spirit are all present yet distinct at Jesus’s baptism).

51:12 David wanted to experience again the joy of knowing that he was delivered. A willing spirit would be the attitude of a heart totally given over to the Lord.

51:13-15 Publicly praising God and teaching others about him was part of the response of God’s deliverance in a person’s life (see note at 22:22-24).

51:16-17 God desires a broken spirit (or heart) rather than acts of sacrifice (see notes at 34:17-18; 40:6-8).

51:18 Some think build the walls refers to Nehemiah’s time, but this is not necessary if it is used figuratively. It simply refers to strengthening Zion, which is where the Lord dwelt among his people (65:1).

51:19 Righteous sacrifices must be connected with vv. 16-17, meaning those offered with the proper motives (see notes at 40:6-8; 50:7-13).