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Psalms 51

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 51 of 150

1 To the chief musician, A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your loving-kindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies; blot out my transgressions.

2 Multiply to wash me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me.

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Chapter Summary

David prays for remission of sins, and for sanctification. To the chief musician, A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

Key Hebrew Words

חֶ֫סֶד loving-kindness H2617 · TWOT 698a
פֶּ֫שַׁע transgression H6588 · TWOT 1846a
חַטָּאת sin H2403 · TWOT 638e
בָּרָא create H1254 · TWOT 278
רוּחַ spirit H7307 · TWOT 2131a
שָׁבַר break, be broken H7665 · TWOT 2321

Cross-References

People & Context

David

King of Israel; pens this confession after his sin, pleading for mercy and a clean heart.

Nathan

The prophet who came to David to confront him, named in the heading as the occasion of this psalm.

Bathsheba

The woman David had gone in to, named in the heading as the backdrop to his repentance.

Timeline

Nathan Confronts David

Nathan the prophet comes to David after David went in to Bathsheba, prompting a deep confession.

Psalms 51:1-2
Purged with Hyssop

David pleads to be purified with hyssop to become whiter than snow, and asks for a clean heart.

Psalms 51:7-12
A Broken Spirit

David declares that God does not desire burnt offerings, but rather the sacrifice of a broken and contrite spirit.

Psalms 51:16-17

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Word-for-word literal translation with Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and audio.

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