Psalms 51:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Create {H1254}{H8798)} in me a clean {H2889} heart {H3820}, O God {H430}; and renew {H2318}{H8761)} a right {H3559}{H8737)} spirit {H7307} within {H7130} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Create in me a clean heart, God; renew in me a resolute spirit.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 51:10 is a profound and poignant prayer from King David, uttered in the depths of his repentance following his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. It is a desperate plea not for superficial cleansing or mere forgiveness of outward acts, but for a radical, divine work of inner transformation. David recognizes that his very core—his heart and spirit—has been corrupted by sin and requires a supernatural act of God to be made pure and steadfast once more, reflecting a deep understanding that true restoration originates from within.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 51 stands as the quintessential penitential psalm within the Psalter, a collection of prayers and hymns expressing a wide range of human emotions and theological truths. It is traditionally attributed to David after his confrontation with the prophet Nathan concerning his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah the Hittite, as recounted in [2 Samuel 12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - Nathan Confronts David"). The psalm opens with an immediate appeal for mercy ([Psalm 51:1](/psalms/51-1 "Psalm 51:1 - A Plea for Mercy")) and quickly moves to a profound confession of sin, acknowledging its deeply personal and God-ward nature ([Psalm 51:4](/psalms/51-4 "Psalm 51:4 - Confession of Sin")). Verse 10, therefore, represents a pivotal turning point, shifting from confession and a plea for external cleansing to an earnest request for internal spiritual recreation and renewal, forming the heart of David's longing for restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is King David's reign in ancient Israel, specifically after his egregious moral failures. In ancient Israelite thought, the "heart" (לֵב, _lev_) was not merely the seat of emotions but the very core of one's being—the intellect, will, and moral center. Sin was understood to defile this inner core, making one unfit for fellowship with a holy God. David's prayer reflects an understanding that ceremonial sacrifices, while prescribed for certain sins, could not address the deep-seated spiritual corruption that resulted from his actions. His plea for God to "create" and "renew" speaks to a recognition that only the divine power that brought the cosmos into existence could rectify such profound inner brokenness. This cultural context emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the absolute necessity of God's intervention for true spiritual healing.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 51:10 contributes significantly to several major themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Creation and Transformation**, asserting that only God possesses the power to bring something entirely new into existence or to fundamentally alter the human heart. David's use of "create" (בָּרָא, _bara'_) echoes the divine work in [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - God Creates the Heavens and the Earth"), signifying a supernatural intervention. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Purity of Heart**, emphasizing that true righteousness begins internally, not merely with outward conformity to the law. This concept resonates with later biblical teachings, such as Jesus's blessing for the "pure in heart" in [Matthew 5:8](/matthew/5-8 "Matthew 5:8 - The Beatitudes: Blessed are the Pure in Heart"). Thirdly, it speaks to **Spiritual Renewal and Steadfastness**, as David yearns for a "right spirit" that is firm, stable, and unwavering in its devotion to God, contrasting sharply with the wavering and corrupted spirit that led him to sin. Finally, the verse powerfully illustrates the nature of **Genuine Repentance**, demonstrating that it transcends mere remorse for consequences, extending to a profound desire for radical inner change and a renewed, steadfast commitment to God's ways.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Create (Hebrew, בָּרָא _bara'_):** This verb is uniquely used in the Old Testament to describe God's activity of bringing something into existence, often from nothing (e.g., [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - God Creates the Heavens and the Earth")). David's choice of _bara'_ here is highly significant; it implies that his heart is so utterly defiled and broken by sin that it cannot merely be repaired or cleansed through human effort or ritual. It requires a divine, supernatural act of re-creation, a complete spiritual overhaul by God Himself, to restore it to a state of purity and alignment with His will.
* **Clean heart (Hebrew, לֵב טָהוֹר _lev tahor_):** The "heart" (_lev_) in Hebrew thought refers to the totality of the inner person—the mind, will, emotions, and moral consciousness. It is the seat of one's deepest desires and intentions. "Clean" (_tahor_) denotes ritual, moral, and spiritual purity, free from defilement. David's longing for a "clean heart" is a cry for inner integrity, for his thoughts, motives, and desires to be purged of sin and made pure, reflecting God's own holiness. This is a desire for internal transformation that goes beyond outward behavior.
* **Right spirit (Hebrew, רוּחַ נָכוֹן _ruach nakhon_):** "Spirit" (_ruach_) here refers to one's inner disposition, attitude, or moral character. "Right" or "steadfast" (_nakhon_) implies firmness, stability, loyalty, and truthfulness. David desires a spirit that is not wavering, corrupted, or prone to sin, but one that is firm, unwavering, and consistently aligned with God's will. It speaks to a longing for moral stability and an inner resolve to obey God, a stark contrast to the spiritual instability that led to his fall.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Create in me a clean heart, O God;":** This opening clause is a direct, desperate plea to God, acknowledging His sole ability to perform such a profound work. David recognizes that the defilement of his heart is so deep that it requires nothing less than a divine act of re-creation, akin to the original act of creation. He is not asking for self-improvement or a superficial patch-up, but for a fundamental, internal transformation that only God can accomplish, making his inner being pure and undefiled.
* **"and renew a right spirit within me.":** This second clause functions in synonymous parallelism with the first, reinforcing and elaborating on the desire for inner transformation. "Renew" (חָדַשׁ, _ḥādhaš_) implies restoring something to its original, good condition or making it fresh and new. David yearns for his inner disposition, his very character, to be made firm, steadfast, and loyal to God once more. After the moral decay and spiritual instability brought on by sin, he seeks a spirit that is unwavering, true, and consistently directed towards righteousness, ensuring a lasting commitment to God's ways.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 51:10 is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound message. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood**, as David directly commands God ("Create," "renew"), expressing an urgent and heartfelt plea, not a mere suggestion. This highlights the intensity of his desire and his absolute dependence on divine action. **Metaphor** is central, with the "heart" and "spirit" serving as metaphors for the entire inner person, the seat of one's moral and spiritual life, which is depicted as needing divine re-creation and renewal. This emphasizes the deep, internal nature of sin and the equally deep, internal nature of God's restorative work. Furthermore, the verse employs **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("and renew a right spirit within me") echoes and reinforces the meaning of the first clause ("Create in me a clean heart, O God"), using different but related imagery to convey the same core idea of profound inner transformation and renewal. This parallelism adds poetic depth and underscores the comprehensive nature of David's request for spiritual restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 51:10 stands as a foundational text for understanding the biblical concept of spiritual regeneration and the necessity of divine intervention for true inner transformation. It prefigures the New Covenant promise where God Himself would give a "new heart" and a "new spirit," moving beyond mere external obedience to an internal, Spirit-empowered walk. David's prayer acknowledges humanity's inability to self-purify or self-renew, pointing to God as the sole source of genuine spiritual life and moral uprightness. This profound plea for a "clean heart" and "right spirit" resonates throughout scripture, emphasizing that God desires not just outward conformity but a radical inner change, making us truly aligned with His character and will.

* [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit")
* [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts")
* [Matthew 5:8](/matthew/5-8 "Matthew 5:8 - The Beatitudes: Blessed are the Pure in Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 51:10 offers a timeless model for genuine repentance and a deep longing for spiritual transformation. It reminds us that sin's impact extends far beyond our actions, corrupting the very core of our being—our thoughts, desires, and intentions. David's prayer teaches us that true restoration is not about self-improvement or merely trying harder, but about acknowledging our utter dependence on God's supernatural power to re-create and renew us from within. This verse invites us to regularly examine our own hearts, confessing our inner defilements and asking God to perform His radical work of purification and renewal in us, just as He did for David. It encourages a posture of humility, recognizing that only God can grant us a heart that is truly clean and a spirit that is steadfastly devoted to Him, enabling us to walk in integrity and unwavering obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you sense a need for God to "create" something new or "renew" a right spirit within you?**
* **How does David's prayer challenge the idea that we can achieve spiritual purity or steadfastness through our own efforts?**
* **What does it mean practically to desire a "clean heart" and a "right spirit" in your daily life?**
* **How often do you consciously invite God to examine and transform your inner being, rather than just seeking forgiveness for outward actions?**

### FAQ

**Why does David ask God to "create" a clean heart, rather than just "cleanse" it?**

Answer: David's use of the Hebrew verb "create" (בָּרָא, _bara'_) is highly significant and intentional. This word is typically reserved for God's unique act of bringing something into existence from nothing, as seen in the creation account in [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - God Creates the Heavens and the Earth"). By using "create," David acknowledges the profound depth of his sin's corruption; his heart is not merely soiled or in need of superficial cleaning, but it is so fundamentally broken and defiled that it requires a complete spiritual overhaul, a divine act of re-creation. He recognizes that only God, the ultimate Creator, possesses the power to bring forth a truly new and pure inner being where none existed before or where the existing one has been utterly corrupted. It signifies a radical transformation, not just a restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 51:10, with its desperate plea for a "clean heart" and a "right spirit," finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant He inaugurated. David's longing for a divine re-creation of his inner being foreshadows the spiritual regeneration promised by God through the prophets, where He would give a "new heart" and "put a new spirit within you" ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit")). This promise is realized in Christ, who, through His atoning sacrifice, provides the means for true cleansing from sin ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by the Blood of Jesus")). Furthermore, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live with a "right spirit"—a steadfast, renewed disposition that enables them to walk in obedience and righteousness ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - Walking According to the Spirit")). The new birth, spoken of by Jesus in [John 3:3-8](/john/3-3 "John 3:3-8 - Jesus Teaches Nicodemus about Being Born Again"), is precisely this divine act of "creating" a new heart and spirit within us, transforming us from within and making us new creations in Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Thus, David's ancient prayer becomes the experience of every believer who, by grace through faith, receives the complete inner transformation provided by the finished work of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 11:19

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 4:22

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Ephesians 4:24

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Matthew 5:8

Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Ezekiel 18:31

Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.