Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
NIV · New International Version
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
WEB · World English Bible
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.
What does Psalms 51:10 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God,.... Which was now defiled with sin, and of which being convinced, he was led more and more to see the impurity of his heart and nature, from which all his evil actions flowed; and being sensible that he could not make his heart clean himself, and that this was the work of God, and a work which required creating power, he entreats it of him: for as the first work of conversion is no other than a creation, or a production of something new, which was not before; so the restoring of a backslider, as it goes by the same name, it requires the same power; and as the implantation of grace at first, and particularly of faith, is a work of almighty power; so the…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalms 51:7–13
No; his great concern is to get his corrupt nature changed: the sin he had been guilty of was, (1.) An evidence of its impurity, and therefore he prays, Create in me a clean heart, O God! He now saw, more than ever, what an unclean heart he had, and sadly laments it, but sees it is not in his own power to amend it, and therefore begs of God (whose prerogative it is to create) that he would create in him a clean heart. He only that made the heart can new-make it; and to his power nothing is impossible.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 51:10–12
10. Create in me a clean heart, O God! and renew a right spirit [268] in my inward parts. 11. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not the Spirit of thy holiness from me. 12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a free spirit. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God!
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 51:7–13 (WEB)
7Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8Let me hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice. 9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all of my iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. 11Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit. 13Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners will be converted to you.
Cross references
- Ezekiel 11:19
I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them. I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh,
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
- Ephesians 4:22–24
that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit,
- Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
- Ezekiel 18:31
Cast away from you all your transgressions in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit. For why will you die, house of Israel?
- Romans 12:2
Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
- Ezekiel 36:25–27
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
- Acts 15:9
He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.