Psalm 51 10

Psalm 51:10 kjv

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

Psalm 51:10 nkjv

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

Psalm 51:10 niv

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 esv

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

Psalm 51:10 nlt

Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Psalm 51 verses

Psalm 51 10 Meaning

Psalm 51:10 is a heartfelt plea from King David, a cry for divine intervention to transform his inner being. He acknowledges that his heart and spirit are corrupted by sin and beyond self-repair. His petition is for God to supernaturally "create" a pure inner state (a clean heart) and to "renew" a steadfast disposition (a right spirit) within him. This demonstrates a deep understanding that true repentance goes beyond mere confession; it requires an internal spiritual regeneration wrought by God alone, leading to genuine and lasting obedience.

Psalm 51 10 Context

Psalm 51 is a penitential psalm attributed to David following his grievous sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah (as recounted in 2 Sam 11-12). After being confronted by the prophet Nathan, David enters a period of profound contrition, acknowledging the depth and nature of his transgression against God. The psalm begins with an earnest cry for mercy and forgiveness, admitting the magnitude of his iniquity. Verses 1-9 focus on the cleansing of his sin. Verse 10, then, shifts the focus from the outward removal of guilt to the inward transformation of his character and spiritual state. He recognizes that without a renewed inner being, he is prone to further sin. This verse captures David's desperate longing for God to reconstruct his spiritual core, moving beyond merely seeking pardon to desiring a genuine heart change, which he knows only God can effect.

Psalm 51 10 Word analysis

• Create (בָּרָא - bara'): This Hebrew verb is primarily used in Scripture to describe God's creative activity, often referring to bringing something into existence out of nothing (creation ex nihilo). Examples include the creation of the heavens and earth (Gen 1:1), humans (Gen 1:27), and new things (Isa 48:7). By using "bara'," David emphasizes that his spiritual depravity is so profound that mere renovation or repair is insufficient; he needs a new, pure heart that only God, the Creator, can produce. It speaks to a divine, sovereign work beyond human capability.
• in me (לִי - li): A prepositional phrase indicating the deep, personal nature of this requested transformation. It is an internal work.
• a clean (טָהוֹר - tahor): This term signifies ritual purity and moral cleanness. It means free from defilement, uncontaminated, unmixed. In the Levitical Law, "tahor" was essential for approaching God (Lev 11-15). David is seeking a moral purity of heart that aligns with divine holiness.
• heart (לֵב - lev): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is not merely the emotional center but the core of a person's being—the seat of intellect, will, emotion, thought, and conscience. It's the inner man, the source of one's intentions and actions. A "clean heart" implies pure motivations, righteous will, and right affections.
• O God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): The generic but powerful name for God, emphasizing His role as the sovereign, almighty Creator and judge. This reinforces the appeal to God's unique power and authority to bring about such a profound transformation.
• and renew (וְחַדֵּשׁ - vechadesh): From the root "chadash," meaning to make new, restore, renovate, repair. Unlike "bara'," which suggests ex nihilo creation, "chadash" implies restoration or invigoration of something that previously existed but has become corrupted, weakened, or stale. It can signify restoration to original strength or even better.
• a right (נָכוֹן - nachon): This adjective means firm, steadfast, resolute, prepared, well-founded, stable. It conveys a sense of inner resolve and unwavering commitment. It implies an ethical rectitude and stability of moral character, resistant to deviation.
• spirit (רוּחַ - ruach): In this context, "spirit" refers to the inner disposition, attitude, temperament, or animating principle of a person's life. It signifies one's character or inner resolve. A "right spirit" (or steadfast/firm spirit) contrasts with a vacillating, unfaithful, or defiant spirit, demonstrating consistency in devotion and obedience.
• within me (בְּקִרְבִּי - bekirbi): Again, emphasizes the deep, internal nature of the desired change. This is not about outward performance but about the deepest part of who David is.

Word Groups Analysis:

• "Create in me a clean heart": This pairing highlights the radical and impossible-for-man nature of the requested spiritual renovation. The human heart, desperately wicked (Jer 17:9), needs a complete re-formation, an act of divine power. This is the source of pure intentions.
• "and renew a right spirit within me": This phrase complements the first by focusing on the active and consistent disposition that flows from a clean heart. It's about stability and fidelity in obedience to God. While the heart needs creation, the spirit, representing the ongoing inner posture, needs to be revitalized and made steadfast, enduring in righteous behavior. The "right spirit" implies moral integrity and constancy. The connection between "create" (new essence) and "renew" (new disposition) shows David's desire for comprehensive spiritual change.

Psalm 51 10 Bonus Section

This verse foreshadows the New Covenant promise of God giving His people a "new heart" and a "new spirit," as prophesied in Ezek 11:19 and 36:26-27. In the Old Covenant, the Law pointed to the ideal of a pure heart (Psa 24:3-4), but its internal realization required a divine act beyond human obedience to outward regulations. David's prayer articulates this fundamental need, which would eventually be fulfilled in Christ through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. His request reveals a spiritual hunger for inner righteousness that external rituals or offerings could not satisfy, emphasizing the personal and internal nature of true faith and obedience. The distinction between "create" for the heart and "renew" for the spirit might subtly suggest that while our original heart may be corrupted beyond repair requiring new creation, our capacity for spirit, when aligned with God, can be restored and made firm by His grace.

Psalm 51 10 Commentary

Psalm 51:10 articulates the profound truth that genuine repentance extends beyond regret over consequences; it delves into a deep longing for a renewed inner life, which only God can provide. David’s plea for God to "create" a "clean heart" acknowledges the inherent inability of humans to cleanse their own hearts from deep-seated sin. The term "create" (bara') highlights that what David seeks is not merely a repair or an improvement but a new spiritual beginning, an act akin to divine creation. This points to the New Covenant reality where God promises a new heart (Ezek 36:26).

Simultaneously, he prays for God to "renew a right spirit" within him. This "renewing" is not creation ex nihilo but a divine act of restoration, setting aright what has become corrupted and giving it steadfastness. A "right spirit" signifies an inner disposition characterized by faithfulness, consistency, and steadfast devotion to God, rather than the vacillation or rebellion that marked his sin. This speaks to the need for perseverance and resilience in the face of temptation, which also comes from God. The pairing of "heart" and "spirit" encompasses the entire inner being, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the transformation David seeks. It is a request for purity of motive and strength of resolve, recognizing both are divine gifts. This verse serves as a model prayer for anyone truly broken over sin, understanding that the only path to genuine, lasting spiritual health is God's transforming power working within.