Psalms 51: A Clean Heart

The title of Psalm 51 calls it a Psalm by David, from when Nathan the prophet came to him after his sin with Bathsheba. David asks God for mercy and to wash away his sin. He prays, Create in me a clean heart. God does not despise a broken and contrite heart.

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Read Psalms 51

World English Bible · 19 verses

¹ For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ Against you, and you only, I have sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ Behold, I was born in iniquity. My mother conceived me in sin.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all of my iniquities.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners will be converted to you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation. My tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ Lord, open my lips. My mouth will declare your praise.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ For you don’t delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

Psalms 51 · Preschool

A Clean Heart

Name Date

Color the big heart and the water. God can make our hearts clean.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.”

Psalms 51:10 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: When we do wrong, we can tell God we are sorry. He forgives and makes our hearts clean. Let's say sorry to God together.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Psalms 51 · Grade 4

Mercy for a Sorry Heart

Name Date

Read and Think

The title of Psalm 51 calls it a Psalm by David. The title says he wrote it when Nathan the prophet came to him after David had sinned with Bathsheba. David does not make excuses. He begins, Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness.

David asks God to blot out his transgressions and wash him from his iniquity. He says his sin is constantly before him. He asks God to purify him with hyssop, a plant used for cleansing, so he will be whiter than snow. Then he prays, Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

David asks God to restore the joy of his salvation. Then he will teach sinners God's ways. He knows God does not delight in sacrifice alone. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, and God will not despise a broken and contrite heart.

Show What You Know

How does David begin his prayer?
What is hyssop?
What does David ask God to renew?
What will David do after his joy is restored?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

washspiritwhitercleanmercy

He begins, Have on me, God, according to your loving kindness.
David asks God to blot out his transgressions and him from his iniquity.
He asks God to purify him with hyssop, a plant used for cleansing, so he will be than snow.
Then he prays, Create in me a heart, O God.
Renew a right within me.

Think About It

David told God the truth about his sin. Why is it good to be honest with God?
David asked for a clean heart. What would you like God to make new in you?

Memory Verse

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart.”

Psalms 51:17 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for forgiving me and making my heart clean. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What does it mean to confess sin?
Why does David not make excuses?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Psalms 51 · Grade 5

Create in Me a Clean Heart

Name Date

Read and Think

The title of Psalm 51 says David wrote it when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Instead of hiding his sin, David confesses it. He appeals to God's loving kindness and the multitude of his tender mercies, asking God to blot out his transgressions.

David admits, Against you, and you only, I have sinned. He says he was born in iniquity, meaning sin has been part of him from the start. He asks for more than forgiveness: he asks God to create in him a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him. He pleads, Don't take your Holy Spirit from me.

David knows that burnt offerings alone do not please God. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a heart that is truly sorry. Once forgiven, David promises to teach transgressors God's ways and to sing of his righteousness. The psalm ends with a prayer for Zion and the walls of Jerusalem.

Show What You Know

Why does David appeal to God's loving kindness?
What does David ask for besides forgiveness?
What are the sacrifices of God?
What will David do once he is forgiven?

Crossword

Across

Have ____ on me.
____ me thoroughly from my iniquity.
And don’t take your Holy ____ from me.

Down

Create in me a ____ heart.
You will not despise a broken and contrite ____.

Think About It

David asked for a new heart, not just to escape trouble. What is the difference?
How can a person who has been forgiven help others turn back to God?

Memory Verse

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart.”

Psalms 51:17 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for forgiving me and making my heart clean. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

Why does God want a sorry heart more than a sacrifice?
How does God's forgiveness change the way you live?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Psalms 51: A Clean Heart

Read Psalms 51

Worksheets

A Clean Heart

Prayer

Take It Home

Wash Me

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Sorry, God

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Wash Me Clean

Prayer

Take It Home

Make Me Clean

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Create in Me a Clean Heart

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Wash Me Clean

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Mercy for a Sorry Heart

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Create in Me a Clean Heart

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options