Psalm 51 12

Psalm 51:12 kjv

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Psalm 51:12 nkjv

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Psalm 51:12 niv

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:12 esv

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:12 nlt

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.

Psalm 51 verses

Psalm 51 12 Meaning

Psalm 51:12 is a heartfelt plea by King David to God for spiritual renewal and sustenance. It expresses a deep longing for the return of the profound gladness and assurance that stems from experiencing God's deliverance and favor, a joy that sin had taken away. Coupled with this is a request for God to grant a free, willing, or noble spirit to uphold him, ensuring steadfastness in obedience and preventing a relapse into disobedience. It underscores the spiritual restoration desired after a period of significant moral failure, focusing on both the emotional experience of salvation and the internal disposition for ongoing faithfulness.

Psalm 51 12 Context

Psalm 51 is a penitential psalm, widely understood as David's prayer of confession and repentance after being confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah (2 Sam 11-12). The entire psalm reflects profound spiritual distress, guilt, and a deep longing for cleansing, forgiveness, and renewal of right relationship with God. Verse 12 follows David's desperate plea for a clean heart and a steadfast spirit (v. 10) and not to be cast away from God's presence or have His Holy Spirit taken from him (v. 11). Having recognized the gravity of his sin and its defiling nature, he now seeks not merely pardon, but the restoration of the spiritual vibrancy and integrity that his transgression had extinguished. The "joy of salvation" contrasts sharply with the "broken spirit" and "contrite heart" he experiences, and the "willing spirit" represents a divine enablement to live righteously in the future, actively combating the willful sin that led to his fall.

Psalm 51 12 Word analysis

• Restore (Hebrew: שׁוּב - shuv): This word signifies "to turn back, to return, to bring back." It implies a previous state of spiritual vitality and happiness from which David has fallen away due to sin. It's a plea for God to reverse the negative spiritual consequences of his actions and bring him back to that former, desired condition of peace and fellowship. It is not something David can achieve on his own but requires divine intervention.

• to me: Emphasizes the personal nature of the petition, the individual yearning of David for his own spiritual well-being.

• the joy (Hebrew: שָׂשׂוֹן - sason): Refers to exultation, gladness, and deep delight. This isn't superficial happiness, but a profound, inward rejoicing rooted in a secure relationship with God. David’s sin had stolen this inner gladness, leaving him in spiritual misery. It’s a joy that comes from the assurance of God's presence, forgiveness, and favor.

• of your salvation (Hebrew: יֶשַׁע - yesha, or יְשׁוּעָה - yeshu'ah): "Salvation" here refers to God's act of deliverance, rescue, and preservation. For David, this would encompass God's previous acts of rescue (e.g., from Goliath, from Saul) and the ongoing security of being God's anointed. His sin had compromised his experience of this divine salvation, making him feel distant from God’s saving grace and protective hand. The joy of salvation implies a joyous celebration of being God's redeemed and favored one.

• and uphold (Hebrew: סָמַךְ - samakh): Means "to lean upon, to support, to sustain, to establish, to lay hold of." This is a request for divine empowerment and stability. David knows his own will is insufficient; he needs God to hold him firm and steady in righteous living. It points to a constant reliance on God's sustaining grace to prevent backsliding.

• me: Again, a deeply personal cry for individual help and stabilization.

• with a willing spirit (Hebrew: רוּחַ נְדִיבָה - ruach nedivah): This is a crucial phrase.

  • Ruach (spirit/wind/breath) refers to David’s inner disposition, mind, or life principle, often associated with divine influence when qualified.
  • Nedivah (willing, noble, generous, free, voluntary, ready). This is not a spirit coerced by external rules or fear of punishment, but an inward desire and inclination towards obedience, prompted by gratitude and love for God. It signifies a spirit that acts spontaneously in doing what is right, free from grudges or compulsion, in contrast to a rebellious or hardened heart. Some interpretations also translate it as a "noble spirit," emphasizing an honorable and righteous character developed through divine assistance. This "willing spirit" is essential for enduring faithfulness and walking in God's ways consistently. It implicitly contrasts with the willful, rebellious spirit that led him to sin.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Restore to me the joy of your salvation": This phrase highlights the consequences of sin – not just guilt, but the loss of inner peace and the gladness that accompanies a right relationship with God. It emphasizes that this joy is from God ("your salvation") and must be divinely restored, not self-generated. It reflects the truth that spiritual joy is a gift of God, dependent on His saving work.
  • "and uphold me with a willing spirit": This signifies a need for internal moral fortitude and stability provided by God. It’s a prayer for the Spirit to work within David, transforming his disposition from one capable of willful rebellion to one characterized by voluntary, eager obedience. It’s a desire for the grace that empowers continuous righteous living. This "willing spirit" is not only given but also nurtured and upheld by God's sustaining hand.

Psalm 51 12 Bonus section

The "willing spirit" (רוּחַ נְדִיבָה) concept can be understood in parallel with the idea of a "new spirit" and "steadfast spirit" mentioned earlier in the psalm (v. 10) and prophetically in Ezek 36:26-27, where God promises to remove the heart of stone and give a new heart and put His Spirit within them to cause them to walk in His statutes. This connection highlights that David's request for a willing spirit is not for self-generated discipline but for a divine impartation and ongoing sustenance. It emphasizes the grace-filled nature of sustained spiritual obedience. The contrast between a willing spirit and a "stubborn" or "rebellious" spirit (e.g., Ps 78:8) is key to understanding David's deepest desire for internal transformation rather than mere external conformity.

Psalm 51 12 Commentary

Psalm 51:12 forms the heart of David's petition for spiritual restoration after profound moral failure. Having poured out his confession and requested a new heart and spirit (v. 10) and God's presence (v. 11), David now asks for the practical manifestation of that restoration: the return of "the joy of your salvation." This joy is not a fleeting emotion but a deep, abiding gladness rooted in the assurance of God's saving power and forgiveness. His sin had severed this link, leaving him in spiritual desolation, but he knows God alone can rekindle that foundational delight in His deliverance.

The second part, "and uphold me with a willing spirit," addresses the crucial aspect of future steadfastness. David recognizes his own inherent weakness and susceptibility to temptation. He isn't asking for superficial willpower, but for God to empower him with a spirit that is nedivah – free, willing, noble, and prompt to obey. This is an intrinsic inclination towards righteousness, contrasted with a grudging or reluctant spirit. It speaks to the ongoing sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers not just to desire obedience but to actively pursue it, countering the rebellious tendencies of the flesh. This prayer implies that genuine repentance extends beyond regret over sin to an active desire for and empowerment toward consistent obedience, a disposition nurtured by divine grace to sustain the renewed relationship with God.