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.

PSALMS 51:1KJV
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Psalms 51:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 51:1 mean?

Psalms 51:1 is a heartfelt plea from David asking God for mercy, forgiveness, and kindness after he has sinned. David appeals to God’s loving nature and abundant compassion, asking that his wrongdoings be wiped away completely.

David is speaking directly to God after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his sin with Bathsheba. The verse opens the psalm by showing David’s deep awareness of his guilt and his trust that God’s love (not his own merit) is the basis for forgiveness. This sets the tone for the entire psalm, which is a prayer of repentance.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 51:1

  • "Mercy" (חָנַן, ḥānan): This word means to show favor or grace, often used when someone is asking for undeserved kindness. David is not just asking for a light punishment but for God to show him grace beyond what he deserves.
  • "Lovingkindness" (חֶסֶד, ḥesed): This word refers to steadfast love or loyal kindness, a deep, covenantal love that God shows to His people. David appeals to this quality, trusting that God’s relationship with him is based on loyal love.
  • "Tender mercies" (רַחֲמִים, raḥamim): This word is related to compassion and deep pity, sometimes connected to the idea of a mother’s care for her child. David is asking for God’s most gentle and compassionate response.
  • "Blot out" (מָחָה, māḥāh): This word means to wipe away or erase, like removing ink from a page. David wants his sins to be completely removed, not just overlooked.
  • "Transgressions" (פֶּשַׁע, pesha‘): This word refers to rebellious acts or breaking trust, not just mistakes. David recognizes that his actions were a serious breach of God’s law.

Why Psalms 51:1 matters

  • Psalms 51:1 shows that David’s hope for forgiveness is based on God’s character, not his own efforts or excuses, which is a key theme throughout the psalm.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of David’s sin by using strong words for rebellion and asking for a complete erasure, not just a covering up.
  • This verse connects the personal story of David’s failure to the universal human need for mercy, making it a model prayer for anyone seeking forgiveness.

Where else these words appear

“Bathsheba” Hebrew H1339 · used in 11 verses

  • 2 Samuel 11:3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
  • 1 Kings 1:15 And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.
  • 1 Kings 1:31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.

“out” Hebrew H4229 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
  • Deuteronomy 25:19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.
  • Psalms 109:13 Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

“Nathan” Hebrew H5416 · used in 39 verses

  • 2 Samuel 5:14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
  • 1 Kings 1:8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
  • 1 Chronicles 3:5 And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel:

“mercies” Hebrew H7356 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 43:14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
  • Nehemiah 9:31 Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
  • Isaiah 47:6 I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.