Tuesday June 24th, 2025
Tehilliym (Psalms) 51
Da’vid pleads for Elohiym’s mercy and forgiveness of his great sin..
Introduction:
Tehilliym 51 is a powerful prayer that was written by king Da’vid after his sin against Elohiym when he committed adultery with Bath-sheva and had her husband Uriah killed. Da’vid knows that even though he sinned against Uriah and Bat-sheva, his ultimate sin was against Yahuah Elohai and it is Yahuah that we must ultimately get forgiveness and salvation from.
This psalm is a model of genuine remorse and a plea for forgiveness, mercy, and restoration from Elohiym. It highlights the depth of Da’vid’s sin and his profound understanding of both his transgression against Yahuah and the true character of Yahuah in that He wants us to truly repent from our transgressions, walk in His commandments, love Him with our whole being and to teach others His ways so we can all sing His praises for eternity.
Tehilliym 51 (KJV-YS):
Verses 1-2: A Plea for Mercy
“1. Have mercy upon me, O Elohiym, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”
Insights: Da’vid opens the psalm with a plea to Elohiym to have mercy on him, not because of anything that he has done but because of Elohiym’s lovingkindness and His tender mercies.
Cross References Verses 1-2:
Shemoth (Exodus) 32:33 – “And Yahuah said unto Mosheh, Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 43:25 – “I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 44:22 – “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee.”
Zakaryahu (Zechariah) 13:1 – “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of Da’vid and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.”
Qolasiym (Colossians) 2:14 – “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; ”
Ivriym (Hebrews) 9:14 – “How much more shall the blood of Mashiach, Who through the eternal Ruach offered Himself without spot to Elohiym, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living Elohiym?”
1st Yochanon (John) 1:7 – “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yahusha Ha’Mashiach His Son cleanseth us from all sin. ”
Chazon (Revelation) 1:5 – “And from Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, Who is the Faithful Witness, and the First Begotten of the Dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.”
Summary: Da’vid acknowledges that only Elohiym can blot out our transgressions through His mercy and lovingkindness. No amount of blood sacrifices can cleanse us from our sins, only by the shed blood of Yahusha Ha’Mashiach do we find true forgiveness and the blotting out of our sins.
Verses 3-4: All Sin is Against Yahuah
“3. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4. Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest.”
Insights: Da’vid acknowledges his sin and that he has sinned against Yahuah.
Cross References Verses 5-10:
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 39:9 – “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against Elohiym?”
Mishlei (Proverbs) 28:13 – “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
2nd Shemu’el (Samuel) 12:13-14 – “And Da’vid said unto Nathan, I have sinned against Yahuah. And Nathan said unto Da’vid, Yahuah also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of Yahuah to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.”
1st Yochanon (John) 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Ya’aqov (James) 2:9 – “For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the Torah.”
Summary: Here we see what true repentance should look like, we are to acknowledge that we have sinned and that we have sinned against Yahuah. Da’vid goes even further to say that Yahuah is justified for whatever His punishment is to him.
Verses 5-6: Yahuah Knows the Inward Person
“5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6. Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”
Insights: Da’vid acknowledges that he was born into sin through the original sin of A’dam but Yahuah can see the inner person’s heart.
Cross References Verses 5-6:
1st Shemu’el (Samuel) 16:7 – “But Yahauh said unto Shemu’el, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for Yahuah seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Yahuah looketh on the heart.:”
Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 32:40 – “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from Me.”
Iyov (Job) 15:14-16 – “What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? Behold, He putteth no trust in His qodeshiym (set-apart saints); yea, the heavens are not clean in His sight. How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?”
Luqas (Luke) 11:39 – “And Adonai said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.”
Romayim (Romans) 7:22 – “For I delight in the Torah (Law) of Elohiym after the inward man:”
Romayim (Romans) 5:12 – “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
2nd Qorintiym (Corinthians) 5:21 – “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of Elohiym in Him.”
1st Kepha (Peter) 3:4 – “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of Elohiym of great price.”
Summary: Da’vid doesn’t deny his sin but he acknowledges it and says that only Yahuah knows the truth about the inner man and only He can make us to know wisdom.
Verses 7-12: Only Elohiym Can Make Us Clean
“7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice. 9. Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10. Create in me a clean heart, O Elohiym; and renew a right ruach (spirit) within me. 11. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Ruach Ha’Qodesh (Set-Apart Spirit) from me. 12. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Ruach (Spirit).”
Insights: Da’vid begins each verse with a plea to Elohiym to make him right with Him again so that he can have the joy of Yahuah’s salvation.
Cross References Verses 7-12:
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 1:18 – “Come now, and let us reason together, saith Yahuah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. ”
Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes) 7:20 – “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 22:37 – “Yahusha said unto him, Thou shalt love Yahuah Elohayka with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
Ephisiym (Ephesians) 1:4-5 – According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be set-apart and without blame before Him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Yahusha Ha’Mashiach to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”
Romayim (Romans) 3:24-25 – “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Mashiach Yahusha: Whom Elohiym hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of Eloohiym;”
Summary: Da’vid asks Elohiym to cleanse Him from his sin and he acknowledges that Yahuah is the only One that clean man from his uncleanness and save him from his sin.
Verses 13-15: Praising Elohiym for His Forgiveness
“13. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee. 14. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O Elohiym, Thou Elohiym of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness. 15. O Yahuah, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise.”
Insights: Da’vid says that he will sing the praises of Elohiym and teach transgressors the ways of Yahuah because He has saved him.
Cross References Verses 13-15:
Shemoth (Exodus) 19:5-6 – “Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and guard My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and a set-apart nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Yashar’el.”
Shemoth (Exodus) 4:11 – “ And Yahuah said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I Yahuah?”
Tehilliym (Psalms) 19:7 – “The Torah (law) of Yahuah is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of Yahuah is sure, making wise the simple.”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 12:2-3 – “Behold, Elohiym is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for Yah Yahuah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 18:3 – “And said, Amein I say unto you, Except ye turn back, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.“
1st Kepha (Peter) 2:9 – “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an set-apart nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:”
Summary: Da’vid gives the perfect example of what we are supposed to do when Elohiym forgives our sins and has given us His salvation, we are to teach others His ways so they can have the same salvation and we are to sing His praises so that all can hear!
Verses 16-17: What Elohiym Desires
“16. For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in ascending smoke offering. 17. The sacrifices of Elohiym are a broken ruach (spirit): a broken and a contrite heart, O Elohiym, Thou wilt not despise.”
Insights: Elohiym doesn’t desire sacrifices of the flesh and blood of animals, He desires us to rely on Him completely and to give ourselves to Him fully.
Cross References Verses 16-17:
Tehilliym (Psalms) 34:18 – “Yahuah is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Tehilliym (Psalms) 40:6 – “Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not desire; mine ears hast Thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast Thou not required.”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 55:6-7 – “Seek ye Yahuah while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto Yahuah, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our Elohiym, for He will abundantly pardon.”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 57:15 –“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, Whose name is Set-Apart; I dwell in the high and set-apart place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 66:2 – “For all those things hath Mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith Yahuah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word.”
Husha (Hosea) 6:6 – “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of Elohiym more than burnt offerings.“
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 9:13 – “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. ”
Ivriym (Hebrews) 10:4-7 & 26-29–“4. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when He cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me: In ascending smoke offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O Elohiym…..26.For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the Truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Mosheh’s Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of Elohiym, and what counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith He was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Ruach of grace?”
Summary: Da’vid acknowledges that true forgiveness doesn’t come from the sacrifices of ascending smoke offerings but that the true sacrifices of Elohiym are a broken spirit and a contrite heart. A heart that acknowledges our sin and that we are truly remorseful and sorry that we have sinned against Elohiym. Only by His grace can we obtain salvation and be forgiven.
Verses 18-19: Pleasing Elohiym
“18. Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: build Thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19. Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with ascending smoke offering and whole ascending smoke offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.”
Insights: Da’vid tells of the day when Yahuah will be pleased with the sacrifices of men.
Cross References Verses 18-19:
Malakiy (Malachi) 3:1-4 – “Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and Yahuah, Whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith Yahuah Tseva’oth. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Leviy, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto Yahuah an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Yahudah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto Yahuah, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
Luqas (Luke) 12:31-32 – “But rather seek ye the Kingdom of Elohiym; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Romayim (Romans) 12:1-2 – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of Elohiym, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, set-apart, acceptable unto Elohiym, which is your reasonable service. 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 Elohiym.”
Ephisiym (Ephesians) 1:9 – “Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: ”
Ephisiym (Ephesians) 5:2 – “And walk in love, as Mashiach also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to Elohiym for a sweet smelling savour.”
Summary: David transitions in the last verses from himself to the people and city of Elohiym. He prays for the time when Yahuah will be pleased with the sacrifices of the righteous instead of the people just walking without any remorse for the sins they have commited.
Conclusion:
Tehilliym 51 is a psalm of repentance, written by king Da’vid after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sin with Bath-sheva and the murder of her husband, Uriah. In the psalm, David acknowledges his sin, asks for forgiveness, and seeks cleansing and restoration from Elohiym. He recognizes his inherent sinfulness and expresses a desire for a renewed spirit and a closer relationship with Elohiym.
We should all do as Da’vid does in this heartfelt psalm: recognize that we have sinned against Yahuah, ask for mercy and forgiveness, truly repentant of what we have done, teach others of His ways so that we can all praise Yahuah Elohaynu for eternity!!
I pray this study provides insight into your relationship with Father Yahuah and leaves you with a desire to know and love Him more.
Self-Reflection Questions:
Tehelliym 51
1. Verses 1-2: A Plea for Mercy
“Have mercy upon me, O Elohiym, according to Thy lovingkindness:”
Self-Reflection Questions:
- How does Da’vid’s plea for mercy inspire you to seek mercy from Yahuah?
- What does Da’vid’s appeal to Yahuah to have mercy on him because of His lovingkindness and His tender mercies teach you?
- How can you ensure that you are not expecting mercy from Elohiym because of what you have done for Him but because of Who He is?
2. Verses 3-4: All Sin is Against Yahuah
“Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight:”
Self-Reflection Questions:
- What does Da’vid’s acknowledgment that he has sinned against Yahuah and Him alone mean to you?
- Why is all sin against Yahuah even if it’s not directly towards Him?
- How are you repenting for your sins against Yahuah and seeking true forgiveness?
3. Verses 5-6: Yahuah Knows the Inward Person
“I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts:”
Self-Reflection Questions:
- Do you think you can hide your sins and transgressions from Yahuah?
- Does it give you comfort that Yahuah knows who you really are or does it scare you?
- Are you being truthful about your relationship with Yahuah and Yahusha to yourself and to everyone else?
4. Verses 7-12: Only Elohiym Can Make Us Clean
“ Create in me a clean heart, O Elohiym; and renew a right ruach (spirit) within me.”
- What things does Elohiym need to clean inside of you?
- Do you find relief and restoration when you come before Elohiym and confess your sins, shortcomings and transgressions to Him?
- What is the main thing we must do to be saved? (Romaiym 10:5-10)
5. Verses 13-15: Praising Elohiym for His Forgiveness
“ O Elohiym, Thou Elohiym of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness. O Yahuah, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise.”
- Do you teach others of the joy it is to have a true relationship with a forgiving Elohiym?
- Does it bring you joy to sing the praises of what Elohiym has done for you?
- How important is it to you to praise Yahuah through song about the salvation He has given you?
- In what ways can you praise Yahuah more for what He has done for you?
6. Verses 16-17: What Elohiym Desires
“The sacrifices of Elohiym are a broken ruach (spirit): a broken and a contrite heart, O Elohiym, Thou wilt not despise.”
Self-Reflection Questions:
- What does Elohiym desire from you?
- How can you give Yahuah what He desires from you?
- Do you desire to give Yahuah what He desires from you?
7. Verses 18-19: Pleasing Elohiym
“Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,..”
Self-Reflection Questions:
- How can you please Elohiym?
- What sacrifice(s) can you make to Yahuah that will please Him?
- Do you pray that the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart are pleasing to Yahuah?