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Psalms 51:10

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

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.

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

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

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

Commentary

Psalms 51:10 is a heartfelt plea from King David, uttered in the depths of his repentance after his grievous sins involving Bathsheba and Uriah the Hittite. This verse beautifully encapsulates a profound desire for inner spiritual transformation rather than merely the forgiveness of outward acts.

Context of Psalms 51:10

This verse is found within Psalm 51, a penitential psalm that tradition attributes to David after Nathan the prophet confronted him about his adultery and murder (2 Samuel 12:7). David's prayer here is not a superficial request for pardon but a deep cry for a fundamental change at the core of his being. He acknowledges his sin against God (Psalm 51:4) and understands that true restoration must begin from within.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Creation and Transformation: David's use of "Create" signifies that only God possesses the power to bring something entirely new into existence. It's not a request for self-improvement but for a supernatural work of spiritual recreation.
  • Purity of Heart: The desire for a "clean heart" speaks to a longing for moral and spiritual purity. It's about having an inner core that is undefiled by sin and aligned with God's righteousness. This echoes the blessing in Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
  • Spiritual Renewal and Steadfastness: To "renew a right spirit" implies a restoration of inner disposition, making it steadfast, firm, and loyal to God. After the moral decay of sin, David seeks a spirit characterized by integrity and unwavering devotion.
  • True Repentance: This verse highlights that genuine repentance goes beyond remorse for consequences; it involves a profound desire for inner change and a renewed commitment to God's ways.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words used in this verse add significant depth:

  • "Create" (bara): This powerful verb is typically reserved for God's divine work of bringing something into existence from nothing, as seen in Genesis 1:1. David recognizes that his heart is so corrupted by sin that only a divine, creative act can truly make it clean again.
  • "Clean heart" (lev tahor): Lev refers to the whole inner person—intellect, will, and emotions. Tahor means pure, clean, both ceremonially and morally. It signifies a desire for inner integrity and freedom from defilement.
  • "Right spirit" (ruach nakhon): Ruach denotes spirit, breath, or inner disposition. Nakhon means firm, steadfast, loyal, true, or stable. David yearns for a spirit that is unswerving and unwavering in its commitment to God's commands.

Practical Application

Psalms 51:10 remains a timeless prayer for anyone seeking genuine spiritual restoration or a deeper walk with God. It teaches us that:

  • Sin's Deep Impact: Sin affects not just our actions but our inner being, requiring a fundamental inner cleansing.
  • God's Power to Transform: We cannot truly change our hearts on our own. It is God who performs this radical transformation, granting us a new heart and a new spirit as promised in the prophets.
  • Continual Need for Renewal: Even believers need to continually seek God for a renewed spirit and a clean heart, acknowledging our ongoing need for His grace and purification. This prayer is a model for daily surrender and reliance on God for inner purity and steadfastness.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 11:19 (167 votes)

    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 (133 votes)

    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 (118 votes)

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

  • Ephesians 4:24 (118 votes)

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

  • Matthew 5:8 (111 votes)

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

  • Ezekiel 18:31 (95 votes)

    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 (91 votes)

    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.