Psalm 51:8
“Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.”
KJV
Read in Psalm 51Meaning
The psalmist asks to hear joy and gladness again, picturing restoration after conviction without denying the seriousness of the wrongdoing confessed.
Cleansing, renewal, and a steadfast spirit
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 to hear joy and gladness again, picturing restoration after conviction without denying the seriousness of the wrongdoing confessed.
Reflection
The psalmist asks to hear joy and gladness again, picturing restoration after conviction without denying the seriousness of the wrongdoing confessed.