Psalms – Chapter 51

Old Testament • 11 Verses

1Unto the end, understanding for David,

2When Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul: David went to the house of Achimelech.

3Why dost thou glory in malice, thou that art mighty in iniquity?

4All the day long thy tongue hath devised injustice: as a sharp razor, thou hast wrought deceit.

5Thou hast loved malice more than goodness: and iniquity rather than to speak righteousness.

6Thou hast loved all the words of ruin, O deceitful tongue.

7Therefore will God destroy thee for ever: he will pluck thee out, and remove thee from thy dwelling place: and thy root out of the land of the living.

8The just shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, and say:

9Behold the man that made not God his helper: But trusted in the abundance of his riches: and prevailed in his vanity.

10But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever, yea for ever and ever.

11I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name, for it is good in the sight of thy saints.

Reflection for Today

Psalm 51, David's prayer of repentance after his sin with Bathsheba, is one of the most honest and moving expressions of contrition in Scripture. David doesn't make excuses or minimize his sin; instead, he acknowledges his guilt and appeals to God's mercy. This psalm teaches us that true repentance begins with honest self-examination and confession.

David's understanding of sin is profound—he recognizes that his sin is ultimately against God, and that only God can cleanse him. His plea "Create in me a clean heart, O God" shows his desire not just for forgiveness but for transformation. He wants to be changed from the inside out, to have his heart and spirit renewed.

The psalm also reveals David's understanding that God desires truth in the inward being and that sacrifice without a contrite heart is meaningless. This teaches us that God values our honesty and our desire for genuine change more than outward religious acts. Psalm 51 reminds us that no sin is too great for God's mercy, and that He can restore even the most broken of us to a place of joy and usefulness in His service.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings