Psalms 51–19
Psalm 51:1-19
Psa.51.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- למנצח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מזמור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 4:1 (structural): Shares the identical superscription formula (למנצח מזמור לדוד) — a liturgical direction for the chief musician and attribution to David, paralleling the heading function of Ps 51:1.
- Psalm 32:1 (thematic): Another Davidic penitential composition (מזמור לדוד); thematically linked as an autobiographical confession and plea for forgiveness, reinforcing the Davidic/penitential context signaled by Ps 51’s superscription.
- 2 Samuel 12:13 (thematic): Narrative account of Nathan’s rebuke and David’s confession after the Bathsheba/Uriah episode — the traditional historical setting for Psalm 51, which the superscription identifies as ‘a Psalm of David.’
Alternative generated candidates
- To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
- For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
Psa.51.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בבוא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כאשר: CONJ
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- שבע: NUM,card
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 11:2-4 (thematic): Narrative account of David’s encounter with Bathsheba that sets the scene for the later prophetic confrontation—same episode referenced by the verse.
- 2 Samuel 12:1-14 (quotation): Nathan the prophet’s parable and direct rebuke of David; Nathan’s speech is the pivotal prophetic intervention related to David’s sin with Bathsheba.
- 2 Samuel 12:7 (verbal): Nathan’s blunt address to David—“You are the man”—the key verbal charge that connects the prophet’s coming to David’s offense with Bathsheba.
- 2 Samuel 12:13 (verbal): David’s admission to Nathan—“I have sinned to the LORD”—the immediate confession that follows Nathan’s visit and links to subsequent penitential material.
- Psalm 51:1-4 (thematic): David’s penitential psalm traditionally connected to Nathan’s rebuke; reflects David’s confession, repentance, and acknowledgement of sin after the prophet’s confrontation.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone to Bathsheba.
- When the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
Psa.51.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- חנני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כחסדך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,ms
- כרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רחמיך: NOUN,m,pl,poss-2ms
- מחה: VERB,piel,ptc,ms,sg
- פשעי: NOUN,m,sg,suff,1,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 103:8 (verbal): Both stress God's steadfast love and abundant mercy (Heb. חסד, רחמים); Psalmist appeals to God's compassionate character as the basis for forgiveness.
- Micah 7:18 (allusion): Affirms God's unique willingness to pardon iniquity and cast transgressions away—theme of divine forgiveness central to Ps 51:3.
- Isaiah 1:18 (thematic): God invites sinners to be reconciled and promises cleansing from sin ('though your sins be as scarlet... they shall be white as snow'), echoing the plea to blot out transgressions.
- Psalm 32:1-2 (thematic): Speaks of the blessedness and relief of one whose transgressions are forgiven, paralleling the petition for sins to be removed in Ps 51:3.
- Psalm 130:4 (verbal): Declares that 'there is forgiveness with you,' a concise statement of the same conviction that God’s mercy removes sin as asked for in Ps 51:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- Be gracious to me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to the abundance of your compassion blot out my transgressions.
- Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to the abundance of your compassion blot out my transgressions.
Psa.51.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הרב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כבסני: VERB,piel,imp,2,m,sg
- מעוני: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- ומחטאתי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- טהרני: VERB,piel,imp,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Romans 3:4 (quotation): Paul cites the latter clause of Ps 51:4 ('that you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged') to argue that God is proven right when he judges; a direct quotation/appeal to the Psalm's claim about God’s justice and truthfulness.
- Daniel 9:5 (thematic): Daniel's corporate confession ('we have sinned and committed iniquity... we have sinned against the LORD our God') parallels David’s admission that sin is ultimately against God and underscores confession before divine judgment.
- Nehemiah 1:6–7 (verbal): Nehemiah confesses Israel’s sins 'we have sinned against you' and asks for forgiveness, echoing the Psalm’s language of sin as an offense directed at God and appeal to his just mercy.
- Psalm 32:5 (thematic): Both psalms link confession with God’s forgiveness and recognition of God’s righteous assessment; Psalm 32 emphasizes admitting sin to God and receiving pardon, resonating with Ps 51’s inward confession 'against you only have I sinned.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
- Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psa.51.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- פשעי: NOUN,m,sg,suff,1,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אדע: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,_,sg
- וחטאתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- נגדי: PREP
- תמיד: ADV
Parallels
- Psalm 58:3 (verbal): Speaks of sinful disposition from birth—"the wicked are estranged from the womb"—paralleling Psalm 51's claim of sinfulness from conception/birth.
- Job 15:14 (thematic): Eliphaz asks, "What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?"—echoing the theme of human impurity at birth.
- Genesis 8:21 (thematic): God observes that "the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth," reflecting the idea of innate human sinfulness present in Psalm 51:5.
- Jeremiah 17:9 (thematic): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick"—a similar assertion of pervasive, intrinsic moral corruption in human nature.
- Romans 5:12 (allusion): Paul links sin's entrance and universal transmission through Adam—developing the theological implication of inherited/innate sinfulness that Psalm 51:5 expresses.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
- For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Psa.51.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- לבדך: ADV,2,m,sg
- חטאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- והרע: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- למען: PREP
- תצדק: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בדברך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,2,m,sg
- תזכה: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,sg
- בשפטך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 12:13 (verbal): David's immediate confession to Nathan—“I have sinned against the LORD”—provides the historical setting and uses the same admission of sin found in Psalm 51.
- Psalm 32:5 (verbal): Both verses emphasize honest confession to God (‘I acknowledged my sin…’ / ‘I have sinned’) and the turning of the sinner toward God's mercy rather than human defense.
- Romans 3:4 (thematic): Paul's assertion that God is true and just in his words and judgments echoes the Psalm's claim that God is justified/clear when he speaks and judges.
- Psalm 130:3 (thematic): Like Psalm 51, Psalm 130 stresses human inability to stand before divine judgment if sins are counted, underscoring the Psalmist’s awareness of sin and reliance on God’s mercy.
Alternative generated candidates
- Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight; so that you may be declared righteous when you speak and blameless when you judge.
- Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight—so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Psa.51.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הן: PART
- בעוון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חוללתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- ובחטא: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יחמתני: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,1,sg
- אמי: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 58:3 (verbal): Attributes depravity to the womb and going astray from birth—closely parallels the motif of being sinful from conception/birth.
- Job 25:4 (verbal): Rhetorical question—'How then can man be righteous... that is born of a woman?'—echoes the problem of human impurity at birth.
- Jeremiah 17:9 (thematic): ‘The heart is deceitful...’ expresses the theme of innate moral corruption that Psalm 51 ascribes to human origin.
- Romans 5:12 (allusion): Paul locates the spread of sin to all people through origin (Adam), a New Testament theological parallel to the OT claim of sinfulness from birth.
- Romans 3:10-12 (quotation): Asserts universal sinfulness ('none is righteous'), echoing the Psalm’s emphasis that human condition is sinful from the start.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
- Behold, I was born in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
Psa.51.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הן: PART
- אמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חפצת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בטחות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ובסתם: CONJ+PREP,NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חכמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תודיעני: VERB,hiphil,imperfect,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 51:10 (thematic): Continues the plea for inward purity—asks God to create a clean heart and renew right spirit, echoing the desire for truth and hidden wisdom in the inner being.
- Psalm 139:23–24 (thematic): Prayer for God to search the heart and reveal hidden faults parallels the appeal for truth in the inward parts and disclosure of wisdom in the secret place.
- Jeremiah 17:10 (verbal): Declares that the LORD searches hearts and tests minds—closely echoes the theme that God desires truth and knows the inward life.
- Proverbs 20:27 (thematic): ‘The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD’—reflects the idea that God perceives and values the inner life and inward truth.
- Matthew 23:25–26 (thematic): Jesus’ rebuke about cleansing the inside first (rather than merely the outside) parallels the psalm’s emphasis on inward truth and hidden wisdom over external show.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, you delight in truth in the inward parts; teach me wisdom in the hidden place.
- Behold, you delight in truth within the inmost being; in the secret place you teach me wisdom.
Psa.51.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- תחטאני: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- באזוב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואטהר: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg
- תכבסני: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ומשלג: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלבין: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 19:18 (verbal): Uses hyssop and the water of purification to sprinkle and cleanse the unclean—direct ritual language echoed in 'purge me with hyssop...wash me.'
- Leviticus 14:4–7 (verbal): The cleansing ritual for a healed leper employs cedar, hyssop and scarlet and washing—paralleling the imagery of hyssop and washing for purification.
- Exodus 12:22 (verbal): The Passover instruction to take a bunch of hyssop to apply the blood on doorposts links hyssop with atonement/protection, resonating with psalmic plea for cleansing by hyssop.
- Isaiah 1:18 (verbal): ‘Though your sins be as scarlet…they shall be as white as snow’ parallels the Psalm’s promise of being made ‘whiter than snow,’ sharing the motif of transforming guilt into whiteness.
- 1 John 1:7 (thematic): Speaks of cleansing from sin (the blood of Jesus) and walking in the light—the New Testament theological fulfillment of the Psalm’s petition for purifying/atoning cleansing.
Alternative generated candidates
- Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
- Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psa.51.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- תשמיעני: VERB,hiphil,impf,2,m,sg
- ששון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושמחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תגלנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- עצמות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- דכית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 30:11-12 (thematic): Speaks of God turning mourning into dancing and clothing with gladness—parallel theme of God bringing joy and reversing brokenness/anguish.
- Isaiah 61:3 (thematic): Promises 'beauty for ashes' and 'oil of joy for mourning,' echoing the motif of divine restoration from sorrow to joy.
- Ezekiel 37:4-10 (verbal): The vision of dry bones coming to life resonates with the image of 'bones' rejoicing—renewal and restoration of lifelessness to joy.
- Psalm 34:18 (allusion): 'The LORD is near to the brokenhearted' corresponds to the concern for crushed/broken (dashed) inner life that God heals and brings joy to.
- Psalm 51:12 (English numbering) (structural): Immediate parallel within the same psalm: an explicit petition to 'restore to me the joy of your salvation,' reinforcing the plea for renewed joy and spirit.
Alternative generated candidates
- Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones you have broken may rejoice.
- Make me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have broken rejoice.
Psa.51.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הסתר: INFABS,qal
- פניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- מחטאי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,det
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- עונתי: NOUN,f,sg,suff-1cs
- מחה: VERB,piel,ptc,ms,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 43:25 (verbal): Uses the same verb/image of 'blotting out' transgressions—'I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions'—paralleling the plea to erase sins.
- Micah 7:19 (thematic): God will have compassion and 'cast all our sins into the depths of the sea,' a similar motif of removing or obliterating iniquity.
- Psalm 103:12 (thematic): God removes transgressions completely ('as far as the east is from the west'), echoing the request that all iniquities be blotted out.
- Psalm 32:1-2 (thematic): Speaks of the blessing of one whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is covered—reflects the penitential plea in Psalm 51 for forgiveness and erasure of sin.
- Jeremiah 31:34 (verbal): Promises God will forgive and 'remember their sin no more,' language akin to blotting out iniquity (this promise is later cited in Hebrews 8:12).
Alternative generated candidates
- Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
- Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Psa.51.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- טהור: ADJ,m,sg
- ברא: VERB,qal,perf,3,ms
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ורוח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נכון: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- חדש: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- בקרבי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,poss1s
Parallels
- Ezekiel 36:26 (verbal): God's promise: 'I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you' closely echoes the petition for a clean/new heart and a renewed right spirit.
- Ezekiel 11:19 (structural): Similar promise language—'I will give them one heart... put a new spirit within you'—parallels the psalmist's request for inward transformation.
- Jeremiah 31:33 (allusion): The new covenant theme—God writing his law on hearts and enabling internal change—resonates with the plea for a pure heart and renewed spirit.
- Titus 3:5 (thematic): Paul's emphasis on salvation as 'washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit' echoes the psalm's concern for inward renewal of spirit.
Alternative generated candidates
- Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
- Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psa.51.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אל: NEG
- תשליכני: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg+PRON,1,sg
- מלפניך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m
- ורוח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קדשך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,ms
- אל: NEG
- תקח: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,sg
- ממני: PREP,suff,1,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 16:14 (verbal): Describes the Spirit of the LORD departing from Saul—a direct parallel to the plea that God not take his Holy Spirit away.
- Ezekiel 36:26-27 (thematic): God promises to give a new heart and put his Spirit within Israel—a restorative counterpoint to the fear of losing God's Spirit.
- Isaiah 63:10-11 (thematic): Speaks of grieving the Holy Spirit and God's turning away from his people—echoes the link between sin, estrangement, and withdrawal of the Spirit.
- Psalm 139:7-10 (structural): Asks where one can flee from God's Spirit/presence—complements the petition 'do not cast me away from your presence' by stressing God's pervasive presence.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
- Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Psa.51.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- השיבה: VERB,hifil,impv,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ששון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישעך: NOUN,f,sg,pr-2ms
- ורוח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נדיבה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- תסמכני: VERB,hiphil,impf,2,m,sg+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 51:10 (verbal): Both verses appeal to God for inner renewal of the spirit—'renew a right spirit within me' parallels 'uphold/sustain me with a willing (generous) spirit.'
- Psalm 51:11 (structural): Immediate context within the same psalm: the plea not to be cast away or have God's Spirit taken away is closely linked to the request for restoration of joy and a sustaining spirit.
- Psalm 30:11-12 (thematic): Speaks of God turning mourning into dancing and clothing with gladness—parallel theme of restoring joy and rejoicing in God’s salvation.
- Isaiah 12:3 (thematic): 'With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation' links joy explicitly with salvation, echoing 'the joy of your salvation.'
- Isaiah 61:10 (thematic): Expresses exuberant rejoicing in God's salvation ('I will greatly rejoice in the LORD... for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation'), resonating with the request to restore joy in salvation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
- Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psa.51.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אלמדה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- פשעים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- דרכיך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- וחטאים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ישובו: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 86:11 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel: both plead 'Teach me / Teach me your way' (אֲדַרְשֵׁנִי / לַמְּדֵנִי דְּרָכֶיךָ), a request for divine instruction in God's ways.
- Isaiah 55:7 (thematic): Call for sinners to turn back to God: 'Let the wicked forsake his way... and turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy,' echoing the theme of sinners returning to God.
- Ezekiel 33:11 (thematic): God's desire for repentance: 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked... turn from your evil ways and live,' paralleling the plea for sinners' return.
- Joel 2:13 (allusion): Imperative to return: 'Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful,' closely reflecting the verse's call for sinners to come back to God.
- Luke 15:7 (structural): New Testament parallel: the parables of the lost (sheep/son) emphasize the return of sinners and God's joy at repentance, thematically mirroring the verse's focus on sinners returning to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you.
- Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you.
Psa.51.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הצילני: VERB,hif,impv,2,m,sg
- מדמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- א: PRT
- להים: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- תשועתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- תרנן: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- לשוני: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,1cs
- צדקתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,ms
Parallels
- Psalm 51:17 (Hebrew 18 / Eng. 17) (structural): Immediate continuation in the same psalm: contrasts external sacrifice with the inward response God desires — a broken, contrite heart (connects the plea for deliverance with true penitence).
- Psalm 40:3 (thematic): After God’s deliverance the speaker receives a ‘new song’ and sings praise — parallels ‘my tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness’ as the response to salvation.
- Exodus 15:2 (verbal): ’The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation’ — language of God as ‘my salvation’ and of singing praise echoes ‘אלוהי תשועתי…תרנן לשוני’.
- Isaiah 12:2 (thematic): ’Behold, God is my salvation…with joy you will draw water’ (and praise) — links the confession ‘God my salvation’ with song and public praise after deliverance.
- Psalm 32:5 (thematic): Confession and divine forgiveness remove guilt; the psalmist’s relief and restored speech after pardon (’I acknowledged my sin…you forgave’) parallels the plea to be delivered from guilt so the tongue can sing of God’s righteousness.
Alternative generated candidates
- Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation; my tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
- Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
Psa.51.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- שפתי: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- תפתח: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ופי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יגיד: VERB,hif,impf,3,m,sg
- תהלתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2ms
Parallels
- Psalm 19:14 (thematic): Prayer for acceptable speech — asks that one’s words and inner thoughts be pleasing to God, paralleling the petition to have lips/mouth opened to praise.
- Psalm 119:171 (verbal): Uses the same imagery of lips/praise: “My lips shall pour forth praise,” closely paralleling the declaration that the mouth will declare God’s praise.
- Psalm 34:1 (thematic): Affirms continual verbal praise — “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth,” thematically aligned with asking God to enable spoken praise.
- Psalm 66:17 (verbal): Connects mouth/tongue with praise: the psalmist cries out with his mouth and has praise on his tongue, echoing the request that the mouth declare God’s praise.
Alternative generated candidates
- O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
- O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Psa.51.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- תחפץ: VERB,qal,imprf,2,m,sg
- זבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואתנה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- עולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תרצה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 51:17 (structural): Immediate context: contrasts God’s rejection of mere sacrifices with his desire for a broken, contrite heart (God values inward repentance over ritual offerings).
- Psalm 40:6 (verbal): Uses very similar wording—"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire"—emphasizing that God does not chiefly delight in ritual offerings but in the obedient/changed life beneath them.
- Hosea 6:6 (thematic): "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice"—expresses the same priority of mercy/knowledge of God over ritual worship and blood offerings.
- 1 Samuel 15:22 (thematic): Samuel's judgment—"To obey is better than sacrifice"—contrasts external offerings with the importance of obedience and right relation with God.
- Isaiah 1:11-17 (thematic): God rejects numerous sacrifices as meaningless while calling for repentance, justice, and righteous action—echoes the repudiation of mere ritual found in Psalm 51:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you take no pleasure in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering you would not be pleased.
- For you take no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering you would not be pleased.
Psa.51.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- זבחי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נשברה: VERB,niphal,perf,3,f,sg
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נשבר: VERB,nifal,perf,3,m,sg
- ונדכה: VERB,niphal,ptc,ms,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תבזה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 66:2 (verbal): Speaks of a 'humble' or 'contrite' spirit and a 'contrite and lowly' heart—language and emphasis closely paralleling Psalm 51's 'broken spirit' and 'broken and contrite heart.'
- Psalm 34:18 (thematic): Declares that the LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit, echoing Psalm 51's focus on God's response to a broken/contrite heart.
- Hosea 6:6 (thematic): God expresses preference for steadfast love/mercy (and knowledge of God) over ritual sacrifice, aligning with Psalm 51's valuation of inward repentance above external offerings.
- Matthew 9:13 (quotation): Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 ('I desire mercy, not sacrifice') to prioritize mercy over ritual—this New Testament citation reflects the same principle underscored in Psalm 51 about the worth of a contrite heart over sacrificial rites.
- 1 Samuel 15:22 (thematic): Samuel's rebuke ('to obey is better than sacrifice') connects with Psalm 51's theme that true repentance and a contrite spirit are of greater value to God than mere sacrificial acts.
Alternative generated candidates
- The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
- The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
When the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to the abundance of your compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, and you only, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless when you judge.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts; in the hidden place you make me know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones you have crushed may rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you.
Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation; my tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you take no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.