Psalm 51
With thanks to page sponsor 2015:
https://www.deily.org/bible/kjv/psalms/51 .
- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV, Common Worship Psalter, ASB Psalter, and BCP Psalter) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Hebrew Interlinear Bible, WLCv, WLC5, CHES, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
- Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
- Chapter XVIII of The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Clement of Rome (ca. 96).
- Chapter II of the Epistle of Barnabas. (ca. 130)
- III.XVII.2, IV.XVII.1, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
- Chapter V, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
- Chapter XII, On Prayer, Tertullian (c. 199)
- III.12, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- I.1, IV.17, IV.18, VII.3, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- Chapter XXI, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
- I.III.2, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
- VII.XXXIII, VII.XLV, VII.L, Against Celsus, Origen (c. 246)
- On the Mortality -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252)
- Epistle LXXVI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 255)
- Epistle LXXX -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 257)
- From Augustine's Exposition on the Psalms.
- Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
- From the Geneva Notes.
- From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
- From Wesley's Notes.
- "Unimpeachable Justice: Psalm 51:4," Charles H. Spurgeon, 1856.
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- "The Wordless Book: Psalm 51:7," Charles H. Spurgeon, 1911.
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
- "Simple White Crosses of Ash," Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word,2017.
- Commentary, Psalm 51:1-10, Paul K. -K. Cho, Preaching This
Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2016.
- "Psalm 51:1-10 provides us, the readers, with an opportunity to think deeply and critically about the complex and ever important issue of sin, about where it originates and how it can be put to death and ..."
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 51:1-17 Ash Wednesday, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2016.
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2015.
- "Standing under the shower of Confession," meditations on the Psalms by Sylvia Purdie, 2015.
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Doug Bratt, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, illustration ideas, 2015.
- Commentary, Psalm 51:1-12, Elizabeth Webb, Preaching This
Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
- "The word that Psalm 51 offers to the desperate is the reiteration of the nature of the God to whom we pray: steadfast love and abundant mercy, a God who is eternally "for us" with the endless love of a mother for her child."
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Doug Bratt, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, illustration ideas, 2015.
- "Yes, Virginia, You May Preach the Psalms," John C. Holbert, Opening the Old Testament, 2015.
- "When I was in seminary, we were told that the Psalms were not a fit subject for a sermon, since they were in fact liturgical acts, not primarily theological ones. Let me answer that claim with a precise theological locution: hooey!"
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2015.
- Lectionary Greek (and Hebrew), Rob Myallis, 2014.
- "Confession and Forgivenenss," Sharron R. Blezard, Stewardship of Truth, 2014.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 51:1-17 Ash Wednesday, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2015.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 51:1-12, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2015.
- Commentary, Psalm 51:1-12, Nancy deClaissé-Walford, Preaching This
Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
- "The words of Psalm 51 are fitting for the great king of ancient Israel; they are just as fitting for worshippers in the twenty-first century. Our sins may not be as public and blatant as David’s, but we all fall short of living in the steadfast love and mercy of God."
- "An Archetypal Prayer of Penance," Lauren F. Winner, The Hardest Question, 2013.
- "...because you can't just intuit sin..."
- Commentary, Psalm 51:1-12, Bobby Morris, Preaching This
Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
- "Psalm 51 lays bare the depths of the human condition and the equally profound need for the redeeming intervention of God."
- "Ashes and Dust and Broken Hearts," the Rev. Dr. Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2013.
- Commentary, Psalm 51:1-12, Matthew Stith, Preaching This
Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
- "Psalm 51 is, by any measure, one of the best-known and most often read penitential texts in the canon, and, as such, presents both opportunities and challenges for the interpreter."
- Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
- "Saying the Hard Things," Psalm 1, Ash Wednesday, 2011. Todd Weir, bloomingcactus.
- Psalm 51, Suzanne Guthrie, "The Seven Penitential Psalms," At the Edge of the Enclosure, 2011.
-
Commentary, Psalm 51:1-10, Paul O. Myhre, at WorkingPreacher.org,
Luther Seminary, 2010.
- "Psalm 51 is one of the most common psalms recited by Protestant Christians."
- "Create in Me," Melissa Bane Sevier, Contemplative Viewfinder, 2012.
- "Exposed," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2009.
- "The reality is that we are not the righteous people we think we are. It's always easier for us to pay attention to the sins of others rather than our own sins. And yet, God's new covenant of forgiveness makes it clear that we are all sinful. ... That's right—it is God's love that exposes our sin. It is God's 'abundant mercy,' that calls forth the recognition 'I know my transgressions.'"
- Commentary, Psalm 51:1-17 (Ash Wednesday), James Limburg, Preaching
This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
- "Our brothers and sisters in the faith before us have provided two important keys for unlocking this psalm."
-
Commentary, Psalm 51:1-12 (Lent 5B), Robert L. Hubbard, Jr.,
Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
- "I may not like Lent, but this is what Lent does for me: I humbly hand myself over to God - to be sure, filthy, broken, and in despair - and he lovingly "restores" me to his favor."
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 51:1-17, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2012.
- Psalm 51:1-12, (Lent 5B) The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Howard Wallace Audrey Schindler, Morag Logan, Paul Tonson, Lorraine Parkinson, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
-
Commentary, Psalm 51 / Romans 7:14-25, Marvin A. McMickle, The
African American Lectionary, 2008.
- "Psalm 51 employs a series of increasingly aggressive measures meant to remove sin from our lives."
-
Join the Feast,
Psalm 51, Andrew-Taylor-Troutman, Union PSCE,
2009.
- "In recent years, scholars have investigated this pericope from liberationist and feminist points of view in an effort to view the story from ?the underside? or in solidarity with historically oppressed peoples. As Psalm 51 purports to give David?s perspective, these types of critical readings would present a balanced view, if not a helpful corrective."
-
"The
Confession of a King,"
The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey
with Jesus Foundation, 2009.
2006
reflection.
- "Joan Chittister, a Benedictine nun and author of some twenty-five books, returns time and again to the themes of personal failure and struggle. One mistake we often make, she suggests, is to accept perfection as our standard or goal."
-
17th Sunday after Pentecost: Psalm 51, The Autumn Leaves: Pages from the
Psalter for Late Pentecost, James Limburg, Texts in Context, Word & World,
Luther Seminary, 1992.
- "The psalm begins with a request for forgiveness. This request is rooted in God's 'steadfast love' or hesed in Hebrew, which is given classic definition in the story of Hosea's love for his unfaithful wife (Hosea 1 - 3) and the picture of a parent's love for a rebelling child (Hosea 11)."
- "Bring Me Close, Lord," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
-
"U2: Unexpected Prophets," Steven R. Harmon, (other resources at)
"Singing Our Lives," Christian Reflection, 2006.
- "Arguably the most successful rock band in the world, U2 not only cries out against injustice, but also dares to imagine an alternative in light of the Christian vision."
- The Lowly Hyssop: Mother of the Za'tar Spice, by Nogah Hareuveni. From the topic of the month: Perfumes & Spices in Jewish Heritage Online Magazine #13.
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Barton, Mukti, "I
Am Black and Beautiful," Black Theology, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Brooks, Claire Vonk,
"Between Text and Sermon: Psalm 51," Interpretation, 1995.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Cohen, Charles,
"Two Biblical Models of Conversion: An Example of Puritan Hermeneutics,"
Church History, 1989.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Gaiser, Frederick J.,
"The David of Psalm 51: Reading Psalm 51 in Light of Psalm 50," Word
& World, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Goldingay, John,
"Psalm 51:16a (English 51:14a)," Catholic Biblical Quarterly,
1978.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Harmon, Kathleen, Music Notes (Psalm
51), Liturgical Ministry, 1995.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Kselman, John S., S.S.,
"A Note on Ps 51:6," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1977.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Limburg, James,
"The Autumn Leaves: Pages from the Psalter for Late Pentecost," Word
& World, 1992.
(The section on this text begins on page 273.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Mays, James Luther, "The David of the
Psalms," Interpretation, 1986.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Miller, Patrick D.,
"Preaching Repentance in a Narcissistic Age: Psalm 51,"
Journal for
Preachers, 1998.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Oxtoby, Gurdon Corning, "Conscience and Confession,"
Interpretation, 1949.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Roberts, Robert C.,
"The Logic and Lyric of Contrition," Theology Today, 1993.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Rosenblit, Barbara Ellison, "David, Bat Sheva, and the Fifty-First Psalm,"
Cross Currents,
1995.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Spielman, Larry W.,
"David's Abuse of Power," Word & World, 1999. (Section begins on
page 258.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Tanner, Beth, "Preaching the
Penitential Psalms," Word & World, 2007.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Walton, Jon M.,
"Imposition," Journal for Preachers, 2006. Sermon.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Weber, Timothy,
"Mercy and Our Many Selves: A Meditation on Psalm 51,"
Currents in
Theology and Mission, 1986.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Wells, Samuel,
"Regeneration," The Christian Century, 2000.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Zink, J.K., "Uncleanness and Sin: A Study of Job XIV 4 and Psalm LI 7,"
Vetus
Testamentum, 1967.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Barton, Mukti, "I
Am Black and Beautiful," Black Theology, 2004.
- Sermons:
- "The Thunk, the Gap, and the Six A's," the Rev. Mark Sargent, Day 1, 2009.
- With Children:
- "Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- Drama:
- "How to Install Love," Rick Anderson, dramatix.
- Liturgy:
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 51:1-17 Ash Wednesday, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2015.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 51:1-12, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2015.
- Psalms of Repentance, prayer litany based on Psalm 51, Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, 2012.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 51:1-12, (Pentecost 10B), Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2012.
- The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 51:1-17, Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2012.
- Responsive Liturgical Paraphrase at The Billabong by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia:
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
- Psalm 51:10, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
- Commercial Site: video, "Psalm 51," The Work of the People.
- Bulletin Cover/Art, Psalm 51, John Stuart, Knoxville, TN. (Free use by churches.)
- Hymns and Music:
- "Cleanse Me, Heal Me, a prayer song," Deb Phelps, Disciples.net Church, 2014.
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- The Seedbed Psalter, with selected tunes for singing.
- Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
- Psalm 51, David Carr, The Emergent Psalter, 2009.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Psalm 51. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
- Hymn Selections, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
- "O God, Be Merciful To Me" original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, based on Psalm 51, tune: CRIMOND ("The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want")
- "Create in Me a Clean Heart," lyrics, midi, sheet music, mp3. Stephen J. Pearson, The Psalmistry. See Terms of Use.
- Psalm Settings by Dale A. Schoening, Metrical Psalms
- Psalm 51:1-10 set to Canonbury (LM 88 88)
- Psalm 51:1-12 set to Canonbury (LM 88 88)
- Psalm 51:1-17 set to Canonbury (LM 88 88)
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of Psalms
