Psalm 51:18
“Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.”
KJV
Read in Psalm 51Meaning
The prayer widens from the individual to Zion, asking God to do good to the city and build Jerusalem’s walls; repentance is placed within the wellbeing of the worshiping community.
Zion’s good and worship restored
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 prayer widens from the individual to Zion, asking God to do good to the city and build Jerusalem’s walls; repentance is placed within the wellbeing of the worshiping community.
Reflection
The prayer widens from the individual to Zion, asking God to do good to the city and build Jerusalem’s walls; repentance is placed within the wellbeing of the worshiping community.