Psalms 51:11

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

Cast me not away {H7993}{H8686)} from thy presence {H6440}; and take {H3947}{H8799)} not thy holy {H6944} spirit {H7307} from me.

Don't thrust me away from your presence, don't take your Ruach Kodesh away from me.

Cast me not away from Your presence; take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy Spirit from me.

Psalms 51:11 is a profound plea from King David, uttered in the depths of his repentance after his grievous sins involving Bathsheba and Uriah. This verse encapsulates his deepest fear: spiritual separation from God and the loss of divine empowerment.

Context of Psalms 51:11

This verse is part of a powerful psalm of confession, often titled "A Prayer of Repentance." Composed by David after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite (recorded in 2 Samuel 12), Psalm 51 reveals the agony of a broken spirit. David's prayer is not merely for pardon from guilt, but for a complete spiritual restoration, acknowledging the profound impact his sin had on his relationship with God. His primary concern is not the earthly consequences, but the spiritual estrangement.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Value of God's Presence: David's fervent prayer, "Cast me not away from thy presence," highlights the supreme importance of God's immediate fellowship. To be "cast away" from God's presence (Hebrew: paniym, meaning "face") would mean a loss of divine favor, guidance, and intimacy—a spiritual death worse than any physical punishment. This reflects a deep understanding that true life is found in communion with the Creator.
  • The Indispensable Holy Spirit: The second part of the plea, "and take not thy holy spirit from me," underscores the vital role of the Holy Spirit in empowering and sanctifying believers. In the Old Testament, the Spirit's presence was often given for specific tasks or periods, and could be withdrawn (as seen with King Saul in 1 Samuel 16:14). David, having experienced the Spirit's anointing and guidance as king and prophet, feared the cessation of this divine enablement, recognizing that without it, he was powerless to live righteously or fulfill his calling.
  • A Desire for Spiritual Restoration: Beyond forgiveness, David yearns for a renewed relationship and the re-establishment of divine blessing. This isn't just about avoiding punishment; it's about regaining the joy of salvation and the purity of heart (Psalms 51:10).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thy holy spirit" in Hebrew is ruach qodesh. The word ruach can mean "wind," "breath," or "spirit," and when combined with qodesh ("holy"), it powerfully conveys the divine, set-apart nature of God's empowering presence. David understood that this "holy spirit" was distinct from his own human spirit, being a direct emanation of God's character and power, essential for spiritual life and obedience.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 51:11 offers profound lessons:

  • The Gravity of Sin: It reminds us that sin, even when forgiven, has serious consequences, particularly affecting our fellowship with God. It emphasizes the importance of genuine confession and repentance, not just for outward actions but for the condition of the heart.
  • The Comfort of the Holy Spirit: While the Old Testament context shows the Spirit's presence could be withdrawn, the New Covenant promises the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit for all who believe in Christ (John 14:16; Romans 8:9). This assurance means that God will never "take His holy spirit from" a true believer in the same way David feared. However, we can still "grieve the Holy Spirit" through unconfessed sin, quenching His work and diminishing our spiritual vibrancy (Ephesians 4:30).
  • Seeking God's Presence: David's prayer underscores that our greatest desire should be to remain in God's presence and to be continually filled and led by His Spirit. This involves daily surrender, obedience, and a commitment to spiritual growth.

This verse serves as a timeless reminder of the preciousness of God's presence and the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, urging us to guard our hearts against sin and cultivate a vibrant, ongoing relationship with our Creator.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ephesians 4:30

    And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

  • 2 Kings 13:23

    And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

  • Isaiah 63:10

    But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, [and] he fought against them.

  • Isaiah 63:11

    Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, [and] his people, [saying], Where [is] he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where [is] he that put his holy Spirit within him?

  • Romans 8:9

    But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

  • Genesis 6:3

    ¶ And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also [is] flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

  • John 14:26

    But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
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