Read the Bible — American Standard Version · Psalms

Psalms 51

1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • To the chief Musician H5329 (נָצַח) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
  • A Psalm H4210 (מִזְמוֹר) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
  • of David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
  • when Nathan H5416 (נָתָן) — Nathan, the name of five Israelites
  • the prophet H5030 (נָבִיא) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man
  • came H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
  • unto him, after he had gone in H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
  • to Bath–sheba H1339 (בַּת־שֶׁבַע) — Bath-Sheba, the mother of Solomon
  • Have mercy H2603 (חָנַן) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition)
  • upon me, O God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • according to thy lovingkindness H2617 (חֶסֶד) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
  • according unto the multitude H7230 (רֹב) — abundance (in any respect)
  • of thy tender mercies H7356 (רַחַם) — compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by implication, a maiden
  • blot out H4229 (מָחָה) — properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e. grease or make fat; also to touch, i.e. reach to
  • my transgressions H6588 (פֶּשַׁע) — a revolt (national, moral or religious)

2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Wash H3526 (כָּבַס) — to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative
  • me throughly H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
  • from mine iniquity H5771 (עָוֺן) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil
  • and cleanse H2891 (טָהֵר) — to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)
  • me from my sin H2403 (חַטָּאָה) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

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

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • For I acknowledge H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
  • my transgressions H6588 (פֶּשַׁע) — a revolt (national, moral or religious)
  • and my sin H2403 (חַטָּאָה) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
  • ever H8548 (תָּמִיד) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the regular (dai…

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in thy sight; That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, And be clear when thou judgest.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Against thee, thee only, have I sinned H2398 (חָטָא) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
  • and done H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
  • evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
  • in thy sight H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
  • that thou mightest be justified H6663 (צָדַק) — to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)
  • when thou speakest H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
  • be clear H2135 (זָכָה) — to be translucent; figuratively, to be innocent
  • when thou judgest H8199 (שָׁפַט) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figur…

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Behold, I was shapen H2342 (חוּל) — properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; figuratively,…
  • in iniquity H5771 (עָוֺן) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil
  • and in sin H2399 (חֵטְא) — a crime or its penalty
  • did my mother H517 (אֵם) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
  • conceive H3179 (יָחַם) — probably to be hot; figuratively, to conceive

6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; And in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Behold, thou desirest H2654 (חָפֵץ) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
  • truth H571 (אֶמֶת) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
  • in the inward parts H2910 (טֻחָה) — (in the plural only) the kidneys (as being covered); hence (figuratively) the inmost thought
  • and in the hidden H5640 (סָתַם) — to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret
  • thou shalt make me to know H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
  • wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)

7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Purge H2398 (חָטָא) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
  • me with hyssop H231 (אֵזוֹב) — hyssop
  • and I shall be clean H2891 (טָהֵר) — to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)
  • wash H3526 (כָּבַס) — to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal (including the fulling process) or figurative
  • me, and I shall be whiter H3835 (לָבַן) — to be (or become) white; to make bricks
  • than snow H7950 (שֶׁלֶג) — snow (probably from its whiteness)

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness, That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Make me to hear H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
  • joy H8342 (שָׂשׂוֹן) — cheerfulness; specifically, welcome
  • and gladness H8057 (שִׂמְחָה) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
  • the bones H6106 (עֶצֶם) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame
  • thou hast broken H1794 (דָּכָה) — to collapse (phys. or mentally)
  • may rejoice H1523 (גִּיל) — properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e. usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear

9 Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Hide H5641 (סָתַר) — to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
  • thy face H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
  • from my sins H2399 (חֵטְא) — a crime or its penalty
  • and blot out H4229 (מָחָה) — properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e. grease or make fat; also to touch, i.e. reach to
  • all mine iniquities H5771 (עָוֺן) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Create H1254 (בָּרָא) — (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
  • in me a clean H2889 (טָהוֹר) — pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
  • heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
  • O God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • and renew H2318 (חָדַשׁ) — to be new; causatively, to rebuild
  • a right H3559 (כּוּן) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, a…
  • spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
  • within H7130 (קֶרֶב) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy Spirit from me.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Cast me not away H7993 (שָׁלַךְ) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
  • from thy presence H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
  • and take H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
  • not thy holy H6944 (קֹדֶשׁ) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
  • spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Restore H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
  • unto me the joy H8342 (שָׂשׂוֹן) — cheerfulness; specifically, welcome
  • of thy salvation H3468 (יֶשַׁע) — liberty, deliverance, prosperity
  • and uphold H5564 (סָמַךְ) — to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
  • free H5081 (נָדִיב) — properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)
  • spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • will I teach H3925 (לָמַד) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive)
  • transgressors H6586 (פָּשַׁע) — to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel
  • thy ways H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
  • and sinners H2400 (חַטָּא) — a criminal, or one accounted guilty
  • shall be converted H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; And my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Deliver H5337 (נָצַל) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
  • me from bloodguiltiness H1818 (דָּם) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. dr…
  • O God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • thou God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • of my salvation H8668 (תְּשׁוּעָה) — rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)
  • my tongue H3956 (לָשׁוֹן) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of…
  • shall sing aloud H7442 (רָנַן) — properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy)
  • of thy righteousness H6666 (צְדָקָה) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

15 O Lord, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall show forth thy praise.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • O Lord H136 (אֲדֹנָי) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only)
  • open H6605 (פָּתַח) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
  • thou my lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
  • and my mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
  • shall shew forth H5046 (נָגַד) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present…
  • thy praise H8416 (תְּהִלָּה) — laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn

16 For thou delightest not in sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • For thou desirest H2654 (חָפֵץ) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
  • not sacrifice H2077 (זֶבַח) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
  • else would I give H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
  • thou delightest H7521 (רָצָה) — to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt
  • not in burnt offering H5930 (עֹלָה) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • The sacrifices H2077 (זֶבַח) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
  • of God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • a broken H7665 (שָׁבַר) — to burst (literally or figuratively)
  • spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
  • and a contrite H1794 (דָּכָה) — to collapse (phys. or mentally)
  • heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
  • O God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • thou wilt not despise H959 (בָּזָה) — to disesteem

18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: Build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Do good H3190 (יָטַב) — to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
  • in thy good pleasure H7522 (רָצוֹן) — delight (especially as shown)
  • unto Zion H6726 (צִיּוֹן) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem
  • build H1129 (בָּנָה) — to build (literally and figuratively)
  • thou the walls H2346 (חוֹמָה) — a wall of protection
  • of Jerusalem H3389 (יְרוּשָׁלִַ͏ם) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine

19 Then wilt thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, In burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering: Then will they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Then shalt thou be pleased H2654 (חָפֵץ) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
  • with the sacrifices H2077 (זֶבַח) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
  • of righteousness H6664 (צֶדֶק) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
  • with burnt offering H5930 (עֹלָה) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
  • and whole H3632 (כָּלִיל) — complete; as noun, the whole (specifically, a sacrifice entirely consumed); as adverb, fully
  • burnt offering H5930 (עֹלָה) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
  • then shall they offer H5927 (עָלָה) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
  • bullocks H6499 (פַּר) — a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)
  • upon thine altar H4196 (מִזְבֵּחַ) — an altar