Psalm 51
Douay-Rheims 1899
Chapter overview
Psalm 51 responds to serious wrongdoing with direct confession rather than excuse. The psalmist seeks cleansing, renewed inner faithfulness, restored joy, and useful witness, recognizing that sincere contrition matters more than performative sacrifice.
ConfessionMercyCleansingRenewal
1Unto the end, understanding for David,
2When Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul David went to the house of Achimelech. [1 Kings 22]
3Why dost thou glory in malice, thou that art mighty in iniquity?
4All the day long thy tongue hath devised injustice: as a sharp razor, thou hast wrought deceit.
5Thou hast loved malice more than goodness: and iniquity rather than to speak righteousness.
6Thou hast loved all the words of ruin, O deceitful tongue.
7Therefore will God destroy thee for ever: he will pluck thee out, and remove thee from thy dwelling place: and thy root out of the land of the living.
8The just shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, and say:
9Behold the man that made not God his helper: But trusted in the abundance of his riches: and prevailed in his vanity.
10But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever, yea for ever and ever.
11I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name, for it is good in the sight of thy saints.
Verses to memorize from Psalm 51
- Psalm 51:10But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the…
- Psalm 51:12
Douay-Rheims 1899 — Public Domain. Where these translations come from.