Psalm 51:15
“O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.”
KJV
Read in Psalm 51Meaning
The psalmist asks God to open his lips so praise can follow forgiveness; worship is portrayed as a response to mercy, not a technique for purchasing it.
Restored witness and the sacrifice of a contrite heart
Psalm 51 is a penitential prayer traditionally linked by its superscription to David after Nathan confronted him. It moves from appeal to God’s steadfast love and honest confession, through cleansing and inner renewal, toward restored witness, humble worship, and concern for Zion. Repentance here neither erases harm done to others nor turns contrition into self-hatred.
Read carefully
The psalmist asks God to open his lips so praise can follow forgiveness; worship is portrayed as a response to mercy, not a technique for purchasing it.
Reflection
The psalmist asks God to open his lips so praise can follow forgiveness; worship is portrayed as a response to mercy, not a technique for purchasing it.