Psalms 51:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ 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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For the leader. A psalm of David, when Natan the prophet came to him after his affair with Bat-Sheva: God, in your grace, have mercy on me; in your great compassion, blot out my crimes.

Berean Standard Bible:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

To the chief Musician^{H5329}{H8764)}, A Psalm^{H4210} of David^{H1732}, when Nathan^{H5416} the prophet^{H5030} came^{H935}{H8800)} unto him, after he had gone in^{H935}{H8804)} to Bathsheba^{H1339}. Have mercy^{H2603}{H8798)} upon me, O God^{H430}, according to thy lovingkindness^{H2617}: according unto the multitude^{H7230} of thy tender mercies^{H7356} blot out^{H4229}{H8798)} my transgressions^{H6588}.

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Commentary for Psalms 51:1

Psalm 51:1 is a powerful opening to one of the most heartfelt penitential psalms in the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to King David. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the narrative found in 2 Samuel 11-12, where David commits adultery with Bathsheba and subsequently arranges the death of her husband, Uriah the Hittite, to cover up his sin. The prophet Nathan confronts David about his actions, leading to David's deep repentance.

The verse begins with a musical direction, indicating it was meant to be sung or recited with musical accompaniment, emphasizing its emotional intensity. Addressing God, David pleads for mercy and forgiveness, not based on his own merits but on God's unfailing love and compassion. The phrase "according to thy lovingkindness" refers to God's chesed, a term rich in connotations of God's faithful, covenantal love. "According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies" underscores the abundance of God's compassion, which David implores to overshadow and erase his transgressions.

The themes of Psalm 51:1 include the acknowledgment of personal sin, the need for divine mercy, and the hope in God's compassionate nature to forgive. It reflects the depth of David's remorse and his recognition that forgiveness is an act of God's grace, not something to be earned. This verse sets the tone for the entire psalm, which continues as a profound expression of contrition and a prayer for inner renewal and restoration of fellowship with God. It is a testament to the human capacity for wrongdoing and the transformative power of repentance and divine forgiveness, themes that resonate deeply within the Judeo-Christian tradition.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5329
   There are 65 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָצַח
   Transliteration: nâtsach
   Pronunciation: naw-tsakh'
   Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from נֶצַח; properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent; excel, chief musician (singer), oversee(-r), set forward.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4210
   There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִזְמוֹר
   Transliteration: mizmôwr
   Pronunciation: miz-more'
   Description: from זָמַר; properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes; psalm.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1732
   There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּוִד
   Transliteration: Dâvid
   Pronunciation: daw-veed'
   Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5416
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתָן
   Transliteration: Nâthân
   Pronunciation: naw-thawn'
   Description: from נָתַן; given; Nathan, the name of five Israelites; Nathan.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5030
   There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָבִיא
   Transliteration: nâbîyʼ
   Pronunciation: naw-bee'
   Description: from נָבָא; a prophet or (generally) inspired man; prophecy, that prophesy, prophet.
   
6. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1339
   There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּת־שֶׁבַע
   Transliteration: Bath-Shebaʻ
   Pronunciation: bath-sheh'-bah
   Description: from בַּת and שֶׁבַע (in the sense of שָׁבַע); daughter of an oath; Bath-Sheba, the mother of Solomon; Bath-sheba.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2603
   There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָנַן
   Transliteration: chânan
   Pronunciation: khaw-nan'
   Description: a primitive root (compare חָנָה); properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition); beseech, [idiom] fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, [idiom] very.
   
9. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
10. Strong's Number: H2617
    There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֵסֵד
    Transliteration: chêçêd
    Pronunciation: kheh'-sed
    Description: from חָסַד; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty; favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.
    
11. Strong's Number: H7230
    There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רֹב
    Transliteration: rôb
    Pronunciation: robe
    Description: from רָבַב; abundance (in any respect); abundance(-antly), all, [idiom] common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number), huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much, multitude, plenty(-ifully), [idiom] very (age).
    
12. Strong's Number: H7356
    There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רַחַם
    Transliteration: racham
    Pronunciation: rakh'-am
    Description: from רָחַם; compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by implication, a maiden; bowels, compassion, damsel, tender love, (great, tender) mercy, pity, womb.
    
13. Strong's Number: H4229
    There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָחָה
    Transliteration: mâchâh
    Pronunciation: maw-khaw'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e. grease or make fat; also to touch, i.e. reach to; abolish, blot out, destroy, full of marrow, put out, reach unto, [idiom] utterly, wipe (away, out).
    
14. Strong's Number: H6588
    There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פֶּשַׁע
    Transliteration: peshaʻ
    Pronunciation: peh'-shah
    Description: from פָּשַׁע; a revolt (national, moral or religious); rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass.