Psalms 51:18

KJV

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

Do good {H3190}{H8685)} in thy good pleasure {H7522} unto Zion {H6726}: build {H1129}{H8799)} thou the walls {H2346} of Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In your good pleasure, make Tziyon prosper; rebuild the walls of Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: Build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 51:18 marks a profound transition in David's prayer of repentance, moving from his deeply personal confession and plea for individual cleansing to an expansive, communal intercession for the flourishing and security of God's people and the holy city of Jerusalem. Recognizing the corporate implications of his own sin, David appeals to God's inherent goodness and benevolent will, asking for divine favor and the restoration of strength and integrity to Zion, demonstrating that true spiritual renewal extends beyond the individual to embrace the well-being of the entire community of faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the main body of Psalm 51, which is a penitential psalm par excellence, traditionally attributed to David after his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah (as noted in the psalm's superscription). The preceding verses (Psalms 51:1-17) are an intensely personal outpouring of confession, a cry for mercy, a desire for spiritual purification, and a longing for restored fellowship with God. David acknowledges his sin's depth, God's justice, and his own need for a new heart and steadfast spirit. Psalms 51:18-19, however, represent a crucial shift from the individual to the communal. Having sought personal restoration, David's heart expands to encompass the well-being of God's covenant people and the city of Jerusalem, suggesting that true repentance leads to a broader concern for God's kingdom and its corporate health. This transition underscores the interconnectedness of individual piety and communal flourishing within the covenant relationship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 51 is David's grievous sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, as detailed in [2 Samuel 11-12](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin and its Consequences"). In ancient Israel, the king was seen as the representative head of the nation, and his actions, especially his sins, could have far-reaching consequences for the entire community, potentially bringing divine judgment or weakening the nation's standing. Jerusalem, often referred to as Zion, was not merely a city but the chosen dwelling place of God, the site of the Temple (or tabernacle at this time), and the political and spiritual capital of Israel. Its walls were vital for defense, symbolizing security, strength, and the very integrity of the city and its inhabitants. A plea to "build thou the walls of Jerusalem" could imply a perceived weakening of its defenses, either literally due to external threats or, more likely in this context, spiritually due to the king's sin and its potential impact on God's favor towards the nation. David's prayer reflects a deep understanding of corporate solidarity and the need for God's protective and restorative hand upon His chosen city and people.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 51:18 contributes to several significant themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Favor and Benevolence**, expressing a fervent desire for God's "good pleasure" to be poured out upon Zion. This emphasizes God's gracious disposition to bless His people, not based on their merit but on His sovereign will and covenant faithfulness. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Restoration and Protection**. The plea to "build thou the walls of Jerusalem" is a powerful metaphor for God's active work in re-establishing security, strength, and prosperity, both physically and spiritually. It acknowledges that true restoration comes from God alone. Lastly, and most profoundly, the verse introduces the theme of **Corporate Concern and Solidarity**. David's prayer transcends his individual repentance, demonstrating that genuine spiritual renewal leads to a deep concern for the entire community of faith. His personal brokenness leads to a desire for the flourishing of God's people and His kingdom, echoing sentiments found in [Psalms 122:6](/psalms/122-6 "Psalms 122:6 - Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem"), which calls believers to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." This demonstrates that individual spiritual health is inextricably linked with the health and well-being of the collective body of God's people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zion (צִיּוֹן, _Tzion'_):** Originally the name of the Jebusite fortress captured by David, Zion became synonymous with Jerusalem, particularly the Temple Mount area. More broadly, it evolved into a theological term representing God's dwelling place, His chosen people, and the spiritual center of His kingdom on earth. In this context, it encompasses both the physical city and the community of Israel.
* **Good pleasure (רָצוֹן, _ratzon'_):** This Hebrew word denotes delight, favor, acceptance, or benevolent will. It signifies God's gracious disposition and His desire to act beneficently. David appeals to God's inherent willingness to bless and show favor, emphasizing that God's actions are motivated by His own character and covenant love, not by human deserving.
* **Walls (חוֹמוֹת, _chomot'_):** Literally referring to the defensive structures of a city, "walls" in a poetic or prophetic context often symbolize security, protection, strength, and the integrity of a community. To "build the walls" implies restoration from a state of vulnerability or decay, signifying a re-establishment of defense, order, and flourishing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion":** This opening clause is a fervent petition for God's active benevolence and favor to be directed towards His holy city and people. "Do good" (הֵיטִיבָה, _heitiva_) is an imperative, a direct plea for God to act. The phrase "in thy good pleasure" underscores that this requested good is rooted in God's gracious disposition and sovereign will, not in any merit of Israel. David asks God to manifest His inherent kindness and delight in blessing His chosen ones, restoring their well-being and prosperity.
* **"build thou the walls of Jerusalem":** This second clause is a specific request for restoration and security. The imperative "build thou" (תִּבְנֶה, _tivneh_) calls for divine construction or reconstruction. While it could have a literal dimension if Jerusalem's defenses were actually weakened, it primarily functions as a powerful metaphor. "The walls of Jerusalem" symbolize the city's strength, integrity, and protection from external threats and internal decay. David is praying for God to re-establish the spiritual and physical security of His capital, ensuring its flourishing and resilience as the center of His kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Metonymy** is evident in the use of "Zion" and "Jerusalem" to represent not just the physical city but also the entire community of God's people and the spiritual reality of His kingdom. The city stands in for the nation and its covenant relationship with God. **Symbolism** is powerfully at play with "the walls of Jerusalem." Walls are not merely physical barriers; they symbolize security, strength, defense, and the integrity and well-being of the community. Their building signifies restoration, protection, and flourishing. The verse also demonstrates a **Shift in Perspective**, moving from the intensely individual focus of the preceding verses (David's personal sin and repentance) to a corporate, communal concern. This shift highlights David's understanding that his personal sin had national implications and that true restoration involves God's blessing upon the whole community, demonstrating a holistic view of repentance and divine favor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 51:18 profoundly connects to the biblical themes of corporate solidarity, divine covenant faithfulness, and the nature of true repentance. It teaches that individual spiritual health is inextricably linked with the well-being of the community of faith. David's plea for Zion's restoration underscores God's enduring commitment to His covenant people and His chosen city, even in the face of human sin. It reveals that God's "good pleasure" is to bless and build up His kingdom, and our prayers should align with this divine purpose. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that while sin has personal consequences, its ripple effects often extend to the community, necessitating a corporate dimension to repentance and a longing for God's restorative hand upon His people as a whole.

* [Isaiah 62:6-7](/isaiah/62-6 "Isaiah 62:6-7 - Watchmen on Jerusalem's Walls")
* [Nehemiah 2:17](/nehemiah/2-17 "Nehemiah 2:17 - Rebuilding Jerusalem's Walls")
* [Jeremiah 31:4](/jeremiah/31-4 "Jeremiah 31:4 - Building Up Israel Again")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 51:18 invites believers today to expand their prayer horizons beyond personal needs to embrace the spiritual and physical well-being of their local churches, communities, and nations. Just as David understood that his personal sin had implications for Jerusalem, we recognize that our individual spiritual health and actions contribute to or detract from the collective strength of the body of Christ. This verse prompts us to pray for God's "good pleasure" to be poured out on our spiritual "Zion"—our churches—that they may be strengthened, protected, and built up against the challenges of a fallen world. It reminds us that God delights in doing good for His people, and our prayers for communal flourishing are deeply aligned with His will. Our personal journey of repentance and spiritual growth should naturally lead to a passionate desire for the flourishing of God's kingdom on earth, contributing to the establishment of righteousness and the advancement of His purposes in our world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my personal repentance and spiritual growth impact the community of faith around me?**
* **In what ways can I pray for the "building of the walls" of my local church or spiritual community today?**
* **What does it mean for God to do "good in His good pleasure" for His people, and how does this encourage my prayers for corporate well-being?**
* **How can I move beyond purely individualistic prayer to embrace a deeper concern for the spiritual health and protection of the wider body of Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why does David shift from personal to communal prayer in this verse?**

Answer: David's shift from personal confession to communal prayer in Psalms 51:18 is significant because it reflects a profound understanding of corporate solidarity in ancient Israel. As king, David was the representative head of the nation, and his sin had far-reaching implications, potentially affecting God's favor upon the entire community. True repentance, for David, extended beyond individual cleansing to a concern for the restoration of God's blessing upon His people and His holy city, Jerusalem. It demonstrates that genuine spiritual renewal leads to a broader, selfless concern for God's kingdom and its well-being, acknowledging that individual and corporate destinies are often intertwined in God's covenant dealings. This expansion of prayer shows that David's heart, though broken by personal sin, was still deeply committed to God's purposes for His people.

**What do "the walls of Jerusalem" symbolize in this context?**

Answer: While "the walls of Jerusalem" literally refer to the city's physical defenses, in Psalms 51:18, they primarily function as a powerful symbol. They represent the security, strength, integrity, and overall well-being of God's chosen city and, by extension, His people. To pray for God to "build thou the walls of Jerusalem" is a petition for divine restoration and protection from all forms of vulnerability—whether from external enemies, internal decay, or the spiritual consequences of sin. It signifies a desire for God to re-establish the city's (and the nation's) spiritual and physical flourishing, ensuring its resilience and continued role as the center of God's presence among His people. This plea is for God's active hand in rebuilding and fortifying His kingdom on earth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 51:18, with its plea for God to "build thou the walls of Jerusalem," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the establishment of His New Covenant people, the Church. While David prayed for the physical city and the nation of Israel, Christ is the true builder of the spiritual Jerusalem, the Church, against which "the gates of hell shall not prevail" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Christ Builds His Church")). He is the ultimate "good pleasure" of God, through whom God pours out His favor upon His people ([Ephesians 1:5-6](/ephesians/1-5 "Ephesians 1:5 - God's Good Pleasure in Christ")). The restoration David longed for, the re-establishment of security and strength, is fully realized in Christ, who is the cornerstone and foundation of God's new temple, built of living stones ([1 Peter 2:4-5](/1_peter/2-4 "1 Peter 2:4-5 - Living Stones in God's Temple"); [Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")). The heavenly Jerusalem, of which the earthly city was a type, is the ultimate dwelling place of God's people, secured not by physical walls but by the presence of God and the Lamb ([Revelation 21:10-27](/revelation/21-10 "Revelation 21:10 - The New Jerusalem")). Thus, David's prayer for the flourishing of Zion is ultimately answered in the redemptive work of Christ, who builds His Church and secures His people for eternity.

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.