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. Berean Literal Bible For the one directing. A Psalm of David, in the coming of Nathan the prophet to him after that he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to the abundance of Your compassion, wipe 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. Berean Annotated Bible For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David (beloved). When Nathan (giver) the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba (daughter of an oath). Have mercy on me (Be gracious to me), O God {Elohim}, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great 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. 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor 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. 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. Berean Literal Bible For the one directing. A Psalm of David, in the coming of Nathan the prophet to him after that he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to the abundance of Your compassion, wipe 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 For the choirmaster. Habakkuk 3:19 GOD the Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me walk upon the heights! For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. 2 Chronicles 29:30 Then King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the LORD in the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshiped. 1 Chronicles 25:1 Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: A Psalm of David. 2 Samuel 22:1 And David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 1 Chronicles 16:7 On that day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this song of thanksgiving to the LORD: Acts 4:25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 11:2-5 One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home. … 2 Samuel 12:1-7 Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. / The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, / but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. … 2 Samuel 12:13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die. Have mercy on me, O God, Psalm 6:2 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony. Daniel 9:18 Incline Your ear, O my God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You because of our righteous acts, but because of Your great compassion. 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!’ according to Your loving devotion; Exodus 34:6 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, Numbers 14:18 ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.’ Psalm 106:1 Hallelujah! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever. according to Your great compassion, Nehemiah 9:19 You in Your great compassion did not forsake them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud never turned away from guiding them on their path; and by the night the pillar of fire illuminated the way they should go. 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 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor… after 2 Samuel 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. O God Psalm 25:6,7 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old… Psalm 109:21 But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me. Psalm 119:124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes. multitude Psalm 5:7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. Psalm 69:13,16 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation… Psalm 106:7,45 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea… tender Psalm 40:11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. Psalm 77:9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. Psalm 145:9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. blot Psalm 50:9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. Nehemiah 4:5 And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders. Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. 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 For the choirmaster. This phrase indicates that the psalm was intended for public worship and was to be directed by the choirmaster. In ancient Israel, the role of the choirmaster was crucial in leading the congregation in song and worship. This suggests that the themes of repentance and forgiveness in this psalm were meant to be shared and internalized by the community. 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. 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. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 51:1?2. How does Psalm 51:1 guide us in seeking God's mercy and forgiveness? 3. What does "abundant compassion" reveal about God's character in Psalm 51:1? 4. How can we apply the plea for mercy in our daily prayer life? 5. Connect Psalm 51:1 with another scripture emphasizing God's mercy and compassion. 6. How does acknowledging our sins help us grow spiritually, as seen in Psalm 51:1? 7. What does Psalm 51:1 reveal about God's nature and mercy? 8. How does Psalm 51:1 reflect King David's understanding of sin and repentance? 9. Why is Psalm 51:1 significant in the context of David's life and actions? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 51? 11. What does the Bible say about dealing with regrets? 12. What does "Blot Out Our Transgressions" mean? 13. What does 'Blot Out Our Transgressions' mean? 14. Are written prayers supported by the Bible? What Does Psalm 51:1 Mean For the choirmaster.David intends this psalm for public worship, not private musings. • His personal plea for mercy becomes a template for congregational repentance, showing that sin is never only an individual matter (see Psalm 4, 6; 1 Chronicles 25:1–6). • The heading signals that confession should be sung—truth wedded to melody so God’s people remember it. • The accuracy of this superscription roots the psalm in history, reminding us that real events underlie the text. A Psalm of David. • The same shepherd-king who slew Goliath (1 Samuel 17) now stands defeated by his own lust (2 Samuel 11). • His authorship underscores accountability: the highest earthly authority submits to the higher authority of God (Acts 13:22). • We read the psalm literally as David’s own words, yet they invite every believer to echo them (Romans 3:23). When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. • The superscription anchors the psalm in 2 Samuel 12:1-13. Nathan’s parable exposes David; immediate confession follows. • Public exposure precedes public restoration—“Whoever conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). • The narrative context assures us that even grievous sin can be forgiven when confronted and confessed. “Have mercy on me, O God,” • David’s first words are not excuses but a cry for grace. He appeals to God’s character, not his own merit (Luke 18:13). • Mercy (Psalm 6:2) is God withholding deserved judgment; David owns that judgment would be just. • Literal reading: he is asking for real, divine intervention, not a vague feeling. “according to Your loving devotion;” • The plea rests on God’s covenant love (chesed), steadfast and unfailing (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 136:1). • David ties mercy to relationship: “I am Yours, therefore act in line with Your nature.” • The phrase reassures any repentant sinner that divine loyalty outlasts human failure (Jeremiah 31:3). “according to Your great compassion,” • Compassion highlights God’s tenderhearted response to misery (Micah 7:18-19). • By stacking “loving devotion” and “great compassion,” David stresses abundance: forgiveness is not reluctant but lavish (Ephesians 2:4-5). • Literal meaning: God’s heart is moved toward the penitent. “blot out my transgressions.” • David asks for complete erasure, not mere reduction, of guilt (Isaiah 43:25). • “Blot out” evokes accounting—God wipes the ledger clean, foreshadowing Christ’s work that “canceled the record of debt” (Colossians 2:14). • Transgressions are willful rebellions; David does not minimize them. He trusts God to remove what he cannot. summary Psalm 51:1 is David’s Spirit-inspired model of confession. Grounded in a real historical fall, it teaches that: • Sin must be owned openly. • Mercy is sought on the basis of God’s loyal love and vast compassion, never on personal worth. • God stands ready to wipe the slate clean for the repentant. Take the verse literally, pray it personally, and sing it corporately—the same God who forgave David forgives today. (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.) |
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