Psalm 51 · KJV

Psalm 51

Create in Me a Clean Heart

Psalm 51 is David's prayer of repentance after his great sin — asking God for mercy, cleansing, and a renewed heart. It models honest confession and hope in a God who forgives and restores.

Psalm 51 (KJV)

1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

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

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

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

11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

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

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

15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

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

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

19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

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What Psalm 51 means

Written after the prophet Nathan confronted David, this is the Bible's clearest prayer of repentance. David hides nothing: "I acknowledge my transgressions." He appeals not to his own goodness but to God's mercy and "tender mercies," asking to be washed and made "whiter than snow."

Its most quoted plea is for renewal, not just pardon: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." David longs to be restored to "the joy of thy salvation." It is the go-to psalm for anyone weighed down by guilt and seeking a fresh start with God.

Key verses

  1. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

    Psalm 51:10 · KJV"Create in me a clean heart, O God."

  2. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

    Psalm 51:12 · KJV"Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation."

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A prayer from Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness. Wash me clean, create in me a clean heart, and restore to me the joy of Your salvation. Amen.

Themes in this passage

RepentanceForgivenessRestorationGuilt

Related passages

Psalm 103Romans 10:91 Peter 5:7

Frequently asked

What does Psalm 51 mean?

Psalm 51 is David's prayer of repentance after his great sin — asking God for mercy, cleansing, and a renewed heart. It models honest confession and hope in a God who forgives and restores.

What is Psalm 51 about?

Written after the prophet Nathan confronted David, this is the Bible's clearest prayer of repentance. David hides nothing: "I acknowledge my transgressions." He appeals not to his own goodness but to God's mercy and "tender mercies," asking to be washed and made "whiter than snow."

What is the key verse in Psalm 51?

Psalm 51:10 — “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Is Psalm 51 in the King James Version?

Yes. The full text of Psalm 51 on this page is the King James Version (KJV), which is in the public domain.