Click here to read PSALM 51 in poetic form.
Background
The Psalm’s title reads: “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.” This refers to the record in II Samuel 11:1—12:23 where David took Bathsheba and was confronted by Nathan. Perhaps Psalm 51 is what David thought or prayed when he “fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth” (II Samuel 12:16).
Structure
(Verses 1,2) Prayer for forgiveness
(Verses 3-5) Man’s transgression and God’s justice
(Verse 6) God’s desire for truth within men
(Verses 7,8) God’s forgiveness and deliverance
(Verses 9-12) Prayer for forgiveness
(Verses 13-15) Man’s transgression and God’s justice
(Verses 16,17) God’s desire for truth within men
(Verses 18,19) God’s forgiveness and deliverance
Key Scriptures
Verse 4—“that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” This is quoted in Romans 3:4 in the context of “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar.” This shows that although man will sin, God is righteous and therefore worthy to judge. The Father has put all judgement under the authority of His Son, Jesus Christ (John 5:22).
Verse 7—“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Hyssop was used in ceremonial cleansing, including the Passover lamb’s blood cleansing from sin (Exodus 12:22; Numbers 19:6,18). This was involved in Jesus Christ’s final act of giving his life and shedding his blood for us. John 19:29 and 30 says, “Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” Christ’s fulfillment of this cleansing with hyssop and blood is explained in Hebrews 9:19-28. He was the Passover lamb for all time.
Verse 9—“Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” Those born again in Christ have holy spirit as incorruptible seed within (I Peter 1:23). It cannot be taken away. God will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Verse 17—“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart.” Jesus Christ clarified this truth in Matthew 5:3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit [humble in pride]: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
