Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. New Living Translation Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. English Standard Version Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Berean Standard Bible For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. King James Bible To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. New King James Version To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. New American Standard Bible For the music director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness; According to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings. NASB 1995 For the choir director. 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 lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. NASB 1977 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Thy compassion blot out my transgressions. Legacy Standard Bible For the choir director. 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 lovingkindness; According to the abundance of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Amplified Bible To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had sinned with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Christian Standard Bible For the choir director. A psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba. † Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. Holman Christian Standard Bible For the choir director. A Davidic psalm, when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba. Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version You are kind, God! Please have pity on me. You are always merciful! Please wipe away my sins. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation [For the choir director; a psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David's adultery with Bathsheba.] Have pity on me, O God, in keeping with your mercy. In keeping with your unlimited compassion, wipe out my rebellious acts. Good News Translation Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love. Because of your great mercy wipe away my sins! International Standard Version Have mercy, God, according to your gracious love, according to your unlimited compassion, erase my transgressions. Majority Standard Bible For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. NET Bible For the music director; a psalm of David, written when Nathan the prophet confronted him after David's affair with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, because of your loyal love! Because of your great compassion, wipe away my rebellious acts! New Heart English Bible [For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.] Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Webster's Bible Translation To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. World English Bible For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionTO THE OVERSEER. A PSALM OF DAVID, IN THE COMING OF NATHAN THE PROPHET TO HIM WHEN HE HAS GONE IN TO BATHSHEBA. Favor me, O God, according to Your kindness, "" According to the abundance of Your mercies, "" Blot out my transgressions. Young's Literal Translation To the Overseer. -- A Psalm of David, in the coming in unto him of Nathan the prophet, when he hath gone in unto Bath-Sheba. Favour me, O God, according to Thy kindness, According to the abundance of Thy mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Smith's Literal Translation To the overseer: chanting to David; In the coming to him of Nathan the prophet, when he went in to Bathsheba. Compassionate me, O God, according to thy mercy: according to the Multitude of thy compassions wipe away my transgressions. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleUnto the end, a psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had sinned with Bethsabee. Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible For the leader. A psalm of David, [2] when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had gone in to Bathsheba. [3] Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions. New Revised Standard Version Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHAVE mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness; according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my sins. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Show mercy upon me, oh God, according to your kindness, and according to the multitude of your mercies, blot out my sins! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For the Leader. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Be gracious unto me, O God, according to Thy mercy; According to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgressions. Brenton Septuagint Translation For the end, a Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, when he had gone to Bersabee. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of thy compassions blot out my transgression. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.… Cross References 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. Luke 18:13 But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace Titus 3:5 He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, / and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Hebrews 8:12 For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.” Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea. Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. Exodus 34:6-7 Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” Nehemiah 9:17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them. Joel 2:13 So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. Treasury of Scripture Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving kindness: according to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions. A. 2 Samuel 12:1-13 after 2 Samuel 11:2 O God Psalm 25:6,7 Psalm 109:21 Psalm 119:124 multitude Psalm 5:7 Psalm 69:13,16 Psalm 106:7,45 tender Psalm 40:11 Psalm 77:9 Psalm 145:9 blot Psalm 50:9 Nehemiah 4:5 Isaiah 43:25 Jump to Previous Abundant Adultery Bathsheba Blot Chief Committed Compassion David Director Gracious Greatness Kindness Leader Loving Mercies Mercy Multitude Music Musician Nathan Prophet Psalm Steadfast Tender Transgressions UnfailingJump to Next Abundant Adultery Bathsheba Blot Chief Committed Compassion David Director Gracious Greatness Kindness Leader Loving Mercies Mercy Multitude Music Musician Nathan Prophet Psalm Steadfast Tender Transgressions UnfailingPsalm 51 1. David prays for remission of sins, whereof he makes a deep confession6. He prays for sanctification 16. God delights not in sacrifice, but in sincerity 18. He prays for the church Have mercy on me The Hebrew word for "mercy" here is "חָנַן" (chanan), which conveys a deep sense of grace and favor. In the context of ancient Israel, mercy was not merely a passive feeling but an active intervention by God to alleviate suffering or forgive sin. This plea for mercy is a recognition of human frailty and the need for divine intervention. It reflects a heart that is contrite and aware of its own shortcomings, seeking the unmerited favor of God. O God according to Your loving devotion according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 51, King David, wrote this psalm as a heartfelt plea for mercy after being confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding his sin with Bathsheba. 2. God The recipient of David's plea, God is portrayed as merciful and compassionate, willing to forgive those who genuinely repent. 3. Nathan the Prophet Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Nathan's confrontation with David is the catalyst for the writing of this psalm. 4. Bathsheba Her involvement with David is the context for the sin that David is repenting for in this psalm. 5. Jerusalem The city where David reigned as king and where these events took place. Teaching Points Understanding God's MercyRecognize that God's mercy is not based on our merit but on His loving devotion and compassion. This understanding should lead us to approach Him with humility and confidence in His willingness to forgive. The Importance of Repentance True repentance involves acknowledging our sins and turning away from them. David's example shows us the importance of coming before God with a contrite heart. God's Compassionate Nature Reflect on the nature of God as compassionate and loving. This should encourage us to seek His forgiveness and strive to emulate His compassion in our interactions with others. The Power of Confession Confession is a powerful act that brings us back into right relationship with God. It is a necessary step in the process of repentance and restoration. Living a Life of Integrity David's failure and subsequent repentance remind us of the importance of living a life of integrity and the consequences of straying from God's commandments.(1) Blot out.--The figure is most probably, as in Exodus 32:32-33, taken from the custom of erasing a written record (comp. Numbers 5:23; Psalm 69:28). So LXX. and Vulg. Isaiah, however (Isaiah 44:22) uses the same word in a different connection, "I will blot out thy sins as a cloud." A fine thought that the error and guilt that cloud the mind and conscience can be cleared off like a mist by a breath from heaven. Transgressions.--See Psalm 32:1. The word seems to imply a wilful throwing off of authority or restraint, perhaps here the breach of the covenant-relation irrespective of any particular sin by which the breach was brought about. Whether it is an individual or the community that speaks, the prayer is that Jehovah would act according to His chesed or covenant-favour towards the suppliant, and wipe out from His records whatever has intervened between the covenant parties. . . . Verse 1. - Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness. It is observable that the whole psalm is addressed to God (Elohim), and not to Jehovah (the "Lord" in ver. 15 is Adonai), as though the psalmist felt himself unworthy to utter the covenant-name, and simply prostrated himself as a guilty man before his offended Maker. It is not correet to say that "loving-kindness implies a covenant" (Cheyne), since God is "good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works" (Psalm 145:9). According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. David's first prayer is for pity; his second, to have his offences "blotted out," or "wiped out" - entirely removed from God's book (comp. Exodus 32:32; Isaiah 43:25; Isaiah 44:22). He says "my transgressions," in the plural, because "his great sin did not stand alone - adultery was followed by treachery and murder" (Canon Cook).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew For the choirmaster.לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ) Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent A Psalm מִזְמ֥וֹר (miz·mō·wr) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4210: Instrumental music, a poem set to notes of David. לְדָוִֽד׃ (lə·ḏā·wiḏ) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse When Nathan נָתָ֣ן (nā·ṯān) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5416: Nathan -- the name of a number of Israelites the prophet הַנָּבִ֑יא (han·nā·ḇî) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet came בְּֽבוֹא־ (bə·ḇō·w-) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to him אֵ֭לָיו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to after כַּֽאֲשֶׁר־ (ka·’ă·šer-) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that his adultery בָּ֝֗א (bā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go with אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Bathsheba. שָֽׁבַע׃ (šā·ḇa‘) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1339: Bathsheba -- perhaps 'daughter of oath', the mother of Solomon Have mercy on me, חָנֵּ֣נִי (ḥān·nê·nî) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular Strong's 2603: To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore O God, אֱלֹהִ֣ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative according to Your loving devotion; כְּחַסְדֶּ֑ךָ (kə·ḥas·de·ḵā) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty according to Your great כְּרֹ֥ב (kə·rōḇ) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness compassion, רַ֝חֲמֶ֗יךָ (ra·ḥă·me·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 7356: Compassion, the womb, a maiden blot out מְחֵ֣ה (mə·ḥêh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 4229: To stroke, rub, to erase, to smooth, grease, make fat, to touch, reach to my transgressions. פְשָׁעָֽי׃ (p̄ə·šā·‘āy) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 6588: Transgression Links Psalm 51:1 NIVPsalm 51:1 NLT Psalm 51:1 ESV Psalm 51:1 NASB Psalm 51:1 KJV Psalm 51:1 BibleApps.com Psalm 51:1 Biblia Paralela Psalm 51:1 Chinese Bible Psalm 51:1 French Bible Psalm 51:1 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 51:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.) |