Psalm 51 18

Psalm 51:18 kjv

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Psalm 51:18 nkjv

Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem.

Psalm 51:18 niv

May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

Psalm 51:18 esv

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;

Psalm 51:18 nlt

Look with favor on Zion and help her;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Psalm 51 verses

Psalm 51 18 Meaning

Psalm 51:18 is a plea for God to act beneficently toward Zion and to restore the walls of Jerusalem. Following deep personal confession and prayer for cleansing, David expands his focus to the well-being of God's city and people. It expresses a desire for God, in His sovereign good pleasure, to actively work for the welfare and security of His covenant community, rebuilding and protecting Jerusalem as a spiritual and physical center. This verse bridges individual repentance with communal restoration and national well-being under divine favor.

Psalm 51 18 Context

Psalm 51 is a raw and profound prayer of repentance by David, prompted by his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent confrontation by Nathan the prophet (2 Sam 11-12). The preceding verses (1-17) are deeply personal, a plea for individual cleansing, forgiveness, and the restoration of God's joy and Spirit within him. David acknowledges the depth of his sin, his inherited inclination toward sin, and God's absolute holiness.

Verse 18 marks a shift from the individual to the communal. After pouring out his personal confession, David expands his prayer to encompass the well-being of Zion and Jerusalem. This transition highlights a crucial aspect of true repentance: it is not solely self-focused, but extends to a concern for God's glory, His people, and the flourishing of His kingdom. David, as king, recognized that his personal sin had implications for the nation, potentially bringing divine displeasure upon the capital city and its people. Therefore, his petition to rebuild Jerusalem's walls represents a desire for not just physical security, but also spiritual restoration, the re-establishment of the city's place as the dwelling of God's presence, and a place where true worship can thrive. While some ancient commentary suggests verses 18-19 may be a later liturgical addition by those who experienced the destruction of Jerusalem, the current context places it firmly as David's own comprehensive prayer, demonstrating that even amidst personal brokenness, a king's heart for God's kingdom prevails.

Psalm 51 18 Word Analysis

• Do good (הֵיטִיבָה - heiy-Tee-vah): An imperative verb meaning "to do good," "deal well with," "show favor to." It is a strong, direct petition, appealing to God's inherent benevolence. This isn't a request based on human merit, but a plea for God to act according to His character.
• in Your good pleasure (בִּרְצוֹנְךָ - bir-tsoh-NEH-kha): From the root "רָצוֹן" (ratson), meaning "favor," "will," "delight," "pleasure." This phrase emphasizes that the request is founded entirely on God's sovereign, benevolent will and His free, gracious disposition. It underscores that any good bestowed upon Zion is not due to Jerusalem's worthiness, but God's gracious inclination towards His covenant people and His city.
• to Zion (אֶת-צִיּוֹן - et Tsee-yohn): Zion often refers metonymically to Jerusalem, particularly its elevated and holy parts (Mount Zion, where the Temple would later stand, or the City of David). More broadly, it symbolizes God's people, His dwelling place, and the spiritual community centered on Him. In this context, "to Zion" is a plea for the entire city and the nation it represents.
• Build (תִּבְנֶה - tiv-NEH): An imperative verb, "to build," "to construct," "to establish," or "to rebuild." It carries a literal meaning of physical construction but also a profound spiritual sense of establishment and restoration. It is an appeal for God's active involvement in the city's future.
• the walls (חוֹמוֹת - khoh-MOHt): Physical walls were essential for the security and protection of ancient cities. In biblical thought, walls also symbolize strength, defense, and the re-establishment of a community. The building of walls after destruction (e.g., in Nehemiah's time) was a sign of restoration and security. Here, it could also metaphorically represent God re-establishing a spiritual barrier of protection around His city and people.
• of Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם - Ye-roo-shah-LA-yim): The capital city of Israel, the City of David, and eventually the location of God's Temple. It is central to the history, identity, and worship of Israel, with significant prophetic and eschatological implications as the holy city.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion": This phrase connects God's active benevolence directly to His divine will and favor. It implies a prayer for comprehensive blessing and prosperity for God's holy city, rooted in God's character and gracious intention, not human achievement.
• "Build the walls of Jerusalem": This is a specific petition for restoration and security. While physically relevant (especially if Jerusalem's walls were in disrepair or symbolic of potential future attacks/exile), it also metaphorically refers to God re-establishing His protective presence and strength around His chosen city and people, ensuring their flourishing and safe dwelling.

Psalm 51 18 Bonus Section

The connection between individual repentance and corporate restoration in this verse is a significant theological insight often overlooked. It suggests that while personal sin affects the individual deeply, it also has ripple effects on the community. David's prayer here implicitly acknowledges that his royal transgression could bring divine disfavor upon the entire city. Therefore, genuine repentance also includes a concern for the community's welfare and a desire to see God's favor restored upon His people and His city. This understanding echoes throughout biblical narrative, where the righteousness or sin of leaders often impacts the entire nation. It emphasizes that a repentant heart, filled with renewed communion with God, naturally overflows with intercession for others and for God's redemptive plan to advance.

Psalm 51 18 Commentary

Psalm 51:18 is a profound theological statement emerging from a deeply repentant heart. Having confessed his grievous sin and experienced the humbling grace of God's forgiveness, David’s focus shifts from himself to God’s overarching kingdom purposes. This demonstrates that true repentance is never entirely self-absorbed; it broadens the scope of concern to God's glory and the well-being of His covenant people.

The prayer "Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion" highlights God’s sovereign benevolence as the source of all blessing. David understands that the well-being of Zion (the city of God, symbolizing His people) depends not on their merit or David's (especially after his sin), but solely on God’s gracious will and delight. This grounds the hope for restoration in God's faithfulness and inherent goodness, not human performance.

The subsequent petition, "Build the walls of Jerusalem," signifies a desire for both physical and spiritual restoration and security. Physically, strong walls were vital for protection in ancient times. Spiritually, "building the walls" represents God fortifying His presence among His people, strengthening their spiritual defenses, and re-establishing the foundations for proper worship and righteous living. This could imply a recognition by David that his sin had brought vulnerability or discredit upon Jerusalem. The plea then becomes for God to mend the breaches, re-establish integrity, and protect His dwelling place from further harm, both external threats and internal moral decay. It anticipates a glorious future for Jerusalem under God's watchful care, symbolizing God's active role in defending and prospering His chosen city and His people, both in this age and ultimately in the New Heavens and New Earth.