Psalms 51:8

KJV

Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.

KJV (with Strong's)

Make me to hear {H8085}{H8686)} joy {H8342} and gladness {H8057}; that the bones {H6106} which thou hast broken {H1794}{H8765)} may rejoice {H1523}{H8799)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let me hear the sound of joy and gladness, so that the bones you crushed can rejoice.

Berean Standard Bible

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice.

American Standard Version

Make me to hear joy and gladness, That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 51:8 is a poignant petition from King David, expressing his profound longing for spiritual and emotional restoration after the devastating impact of his sin. Following his deep confession and plea for purification, David now yearns for God to re-establish within him the vibrancy of joy and gladness, specifically requesting that the deep inner brokenness caused by his transgression might be transformed into rejoicing. This verse encapsulates the hope that even the most profound spiritual wounds can be healed by divine grace, leading to a complete renewal of the soul's vitality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 51:8 is situated within one of the most profound penitential psalms in the Psalter, traditionally attributed to David following his grievous sins concerning Bathsheba and Uriah. The psalm opens with a desperate cry for mercy and cleansing (vv. 1-2), acknowledging the depth and personal nature of his sin against God (vv. 3-6). Verse 7 then articulates a specific request for purification, using the imagery of hyssop. Verse 8 marks a significant transition: having confessed and sought cleansing, David now moves to the desired *outcome* of that forgiveness – the restoration of joy and inner vitality. It anticipates the subsequent pleas for a renewed spirit and the joy of salvation found in [Psalms 51:10-12](/psalms/51-10 "Psalms 51:10-12 - A Plea for a Clean Heart and Renewed Spirit"), demonstrating that true repentance seeks not just the absence of guilt, but the presence of God-given joy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm is traditionally linked to the narrative in [2 Samuel 11-12](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah"), where the prophet Nathan confronts King David about his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah the Hittite. David's profound anguish and the imagery of "broken bones" reflect the deep spiritual and psychological distress that sin, particularly unconfessed sin, inflicted upon individuals in ancient Israel. The concept of "bones" often represented the very core of a person's being, their strength, and vitality. To have one's bones "broken" was a vivid way to describe a complete internal collapse, existential anguish, and the loss of inner peace, akin to a severe physical illness or injury. This imagery was common in ancient Near Eastern laments and wisdom literature to convey profound suffering and divine displeasure.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 51:8 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the **devastating impact of sin** on the human spirit, demonstrating how transgression can lead to a profound loss of joy and inner brokenness, even for a king. Simultaneously, it powerfully underscores **God's sovereign power to heal and restore**, asserting that only divine intervention can transform such deep spiritual anguish into rejoicing. This verse also speaks to the theme of **spiritual restoration**, emphasizing that true repentance is not merely about avoiding punishment but about re-establishing a vibrant, joyful relationship with God. It anticipates the **fruit of genuine repentance**, showing that forgiveness brings not just relief from guilt but a renewed capacity for joy and service, as seen in [Psalms 51:12-13](/psalms/51-12 "Psalms 51:12-13 - Restore the Joy of Salvation and Teach Transgressors").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shama'_):** This word carries a broader meaning than mere auditory perception. In Hebrew thought, "to hear" often implies to listen attentively, to understand, to obey, and critically, to *experience* or *perceive* something. David is not just asking to hear sounds of joy, but to actively *experience* or *be made to feel* joy and gladness in his inner being. It signifies a profound, internal reception and embrace of these positive emotions.
* **Bones (Hebrew, _'atzamoth'_):** Far from referring solely to physical skeletal structures, "bones" in Hebrew idiom frequently symbolize the deepest part of a person's being, their core strength, vitality, or inner self. It represents the very essence of one's existence, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. When David speaks of his "bones," he refers to his innermost being, his very foundation.
* **Broken (Hebrew, _shabar'_):** This verb means to shatter, to crush, to break into pieces. When applied to "bones" in this metaphorical sense, it denotes a profound internal collapse, severe spiritual distress, existential anguish, and the complete shattering of inner peace and spiritual health. It signifies the crushing weight of sin and the resulting sense of divine displeasure and judgment that had permeated David's entire being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Make me to hear joy and gladness":** This is a direct, earnest petition to God. David is not passively waiting for joy to return; he is actively pleading for divine intervention to *cause* him to experience these emotions. The phrase "make me to hear" implies an active impartation from God, a spiritual awakening or restoration that will allow him to perceive and embrace the vibrancy of life and God's favor once more. It is a request for the return of positive spiritual and emotional states that have been lost due to sin.
* **"[that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice":** This clause reveals the purpose and desired outcome of David's plea. The "bones" represent his deepest inner being, which he acknowledges God has "broken." This brokenness is the spiritual and emotional devastation caused by his sin and the accompanying divine discipline or conviction. The desire is for this profound internal shattering to be miraculously transformed into vibrant rejoicing. It signifies a complete spiritual healing and a renewal of vitality from the very core of his being, demonstrating that only God can mend the deepest wounds of the soul and turn despair into delight.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 51:8 is rich with powerful **imagery** and **figurative language**. The central device is the **metaphor** of "broken bones," which vividly conveys the profound inner anguish, spiritual devastation, and loss of vitality experienced by David due to his sin. This is not a literal physical injury, but rather an idiom for a shattered spirit and a soul crushed under the weight of guilt and divine displeasure. The "bones" are also **personified** as being able to "rejoice," emphasizing that the desired restoration is not superficial but penetrates to the very core of David's being, transforming his deepest pain into profound gladness. Furthermore, the phrase "thou hast broken" employs **anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like action (breaking) to God, signifying that the internal pain David feels is a direct consequence of God's righteous judgment and conviction, designed to lead to repentance and healing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the theological truth that sin has devastating consequences, not only in terms of guilt but also in its capacity to rob the believer of joy and inflict deep spiritual brokenness. It underscores the biblical principle that genuine joy and gladness are inextricably linked to a right relationship with God, and that separation from Him, even through unconfessed sin, leads to inner decay. The verse also highlights God's unique power to heal and restore what sin has shattered. David's plea is a testament to the belief that divine grace is sufficient to mend the deepest spiritual wounds, transforming sorrow into rejoicing. It points to God as the ultimate source of spiritual vitality and emotional well-being, emphasizing that true restoration comes from His hand alone.

* [Psalm 32:3-5](/psalms/32-3 "Psalm 32:3-5 - David's Confession and Relief")
* [Isaiah 61:3](/isaiah/61-3 "Isaiah 61:3 - Oil of Joy for Mourning")
* [Joel 2:25](/joel/2-25 "Joel 2:25 - God's Restoration")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 51:8 offers a profound mirror for believers today, reminding us that sin, whether overt or hidden, has tangible and often devastating effects on our inner spiritual and emotional landscape. It teaches us that a loss of joy, a sense of spiritual brokenness, and deep internal anguish can be direct consequences of unconfessed sin, even when external circumstances appear normal. David's honest lament encourages us to acknowledge the full weight of our transgressions and to bring our deepest spiritual wounds before God. It offers immense hope, demonstrating that even when we feel utterly shattered by our failures, God possesses the unique power to restore us. True repentance opens the door for God to mend what sin has broken, transforming our sorrow into genuine, Spirit-given joy. This verse serves as a model for humble, desperate prayer for spiritual and emotional renewal, inviting us to trust in God's capacity to heal our deepest hurts and restore our gladness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How has unconfessed sin, or even a drifting from God, impacted your inner joy and spiritual vitality?**
* **In what ways do you experience a sense of "broken bones" in your spiritual journey, and how do you seek God's healing for those areas?**
* **What does it mean to truly "hear joy and gladness" from God, and how can you cultivate that experience in your daily walk?**

### FAQ
**Is the phrase "the bones which thou hast broken" meant to be taken literally as a physical injury?**

Answer: No, the phrase "the bones which thou hast broken" is a powerful Hebrew idiom, not a literal description of physical injury. In ancient Hebrew thought, "bones" often represented the deepest core of a person's being, their strength, vitality, or inner self. To have one's bones "broken" metaphorically signifies profound spiritual or emotional anguish, a complete internal collapse, severe distress, or existential despair. It conveys the crushing weight of sin and the accompanying sense of divine displeasure that had permeated David's entire being, leaving him spiritually shattered and devoid of joy. This imagery emphasizes the depth of the internal pain and the need for a complete spiritual restoration from the very foundation of his being.

**How does God "break" a person's bones in this context? Is it punitive?**

Answer: In this context, God "breaking" David's bones refers to the profound spiritual and emotional anguish that results from sin and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. It's not a cruel or arbitrary act of punishment, but rather a divine process of discipline and conviction designed to bring about repentance and restoration. When a person sins, especially against a holy God, the natural consequence is a separation from His presence, which leads to a loss of peace, joy, and spiritual vitality. God, in His mercy, allows this internal "brokenness" to be felt so that the individual is driven to confession and a return to Him. It's a painful but ultimately redemptive process, intended to lead to the healing and restoration of joy that David prays for in this verse.

**Can true joy and gladness really be restored after deep sin and spiritual brokenness?**

Answer: Yes, absolutely and unequivocally. The entire message of the Gospel is one of restoration and new life, even after the most grievous sins. David's prayer in [Psalms 51:8](/psalms/51-8 "Psalms 51:8 - Make Me to Hear Joy") is a testament to this hope, and the rest of the psalm, particularly [Psalms 51:12](/psalms/51-12 "Psalms 51:12 - Restore the Joy of Your Salvation"), anticipates the restoration of the "joy of thy salvation." God's forgiveness, made possible through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, is complete and transformative. When we genuinely repent and turn to Him, He not only forgives our sins but also heals our spiritual wounds, restoring our inner peace, joy, and vitality. This restored joy is not a superficial happiness but a deep, abiding gladness rooted in reconciliation with God, transcending external circumstances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's plea in Psalms 51:8 for God to "make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David's experience of spiritual brokenness and his longing for restoration foreshadow the human condition under the weight of sin and the divine solution offered in the person of Christ. Jesus is the ultimate Healer of brokenness, the one who came to bind up the brokenhearted ([Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me")). Our spiritual "bones" are broken not merely by individual transgressions but by the pervasive power of sin that alienates us from God. Christ, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, bore the full weight of our sin and its devastating consequences, including the spiritual anguish and separation from God. He offers not just forgiveness, but a complete spiritual renewal, inviting all who are weary and heavy-laden to find rest for their souls ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to the Weary")). Through His wounds, we are healed ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")), and the joy that David yearned for is made fully accessible to us in Him. When we are united with Christ, we become a new creation ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), and the joy of the Lord becomes our strength, fulfilling Jesus' desire that our joy might be full ([John 15:11](/john/15-11 "John 15:11 - Jesus' Joy Made Full")).

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

Matthew 5:4

Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Psalms 6:2

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I [am] weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

Psalms 6:3

My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?

Hosea 6:1

¶ Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

Hosea 6:2

After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

Job 5:17

¶ Behold, happy [is] the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

Job 5:18

For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.