Surely You desire truth in the inmost being;
This phrase emphasizes God's desire for authenticity and integrity at the deepest level of a person's heart. In biblical context, the "inmost being" refers to the core of one's moral and spiritual life. The Hebrew word for "truth" here is "emet," which implies faithfulness, reliability, and sincerity. This aligns with the biblical theme that God values inner purity over outward religious rituals (1 Samuel 16:7). The call for truth in the inmost being reflects the need for genuine repentance and transformation, as seen in David's plea for forgiveness after his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12). This desire for inner truth is echoed in Jesus' teachings, where He emphasizes the importance of the heart's condition over mere external compliance (Matthew 5:8).

You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
The phrase highlights the divine role in imparting wisdom, which is more than just knowledge; it is the ability to live righteously and make godly decisions. The "inmost place" suggests a deep, personal, and intimate level of understanding that God imparts to those who seek Him. This wisdom is not merely intellectual but is transformative, affecting one's character and actions. The connection to other scriptures, such as Proverbs 2:6, where it states that the Lord gives wisdom, reinforces the idea that true wisdom comes from God. This wisdom is also seen as a type of Christ, who is described as the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). The impartation of wisdom in the inmost place signifies a profound internal change, aligning one's heart with God's will, much like the new covenant promise of God writing His law on the hearts of His people (Jeremiah 31:33).

1. David
The author of Psalm 51, King David wrote this psalm as a confession and plea for mercy after his sin with Bathsheba. It reflects his deep repentance and desire for inner transformation.

2. Bathsheba
The woman with whom David committed adultery, leading to a series of events that included the murder of her husband, Uriah, and the eventual confrontation by the prophet Nathan.

3. Nathan the Prophet
The prophet who confronted David about his sin, leading to David's repentance and the writing of Psalm 51.

4. Jerusalem
The city where David reigned as king and where these events took place.

5. God
The central figure to whom David directs his confession and plea for forgiveness, emphasizing God's desire for truth and wisdom in the heart.Inner Truth and Integrity
God desires truth in our innermost being, which means living with integrity and honesty before Him. This involves acknowledging our sins and seeking His truth to transform our hearts.

Wisdom from God
True wisdom comes from God and is taught in the depths of our being. We should seek His wisdom through prayer, study of Scripture, and openness to His teaching.

Repentance and Renewal
Like David, we must come to God with a repentant heart, seeking His forgiveness and the renewal of our spirit. This involves a sincere desire for change and alignment with God's will.

Heart Transformation
The focus on the inmost being suggests that God is concerned with our heart's condition. We should prioritize spiritual growth and transformation over mere external compliance.

God's Faithfulness
Despite our failures, God is faithful to teach and guide us when we turn to Him. His desire for truth and wisdom in our hearts is a testament to His commitment to our spiritual well-being.(6) Truth.--Or, faithfulness.

Inward parts.--The Hebrew word is found only once besides (Job 38:36), where it is in parallelism with "heart."

The sincerity and true self-discernment which God requires can only come of spiritual insight, or, as the last clause states it, divine instruction.

Verse 6. - Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts (comp. Job 38:36). God requires not merely such purity as might be attained by the use of legal and ritual methods; but true inward purity of thought and heart, which is a very different matter. And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom; rather, do thou make me. An optative, according to Professor Cheyne. The meaning is, "As nothing will content thee but this perfect, inward purity, do thou give me into my heart its fundamental principle-wisdom, or the fear of God."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Surely
הֵן־ (hên-)
Interjection
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

You desire
חָפַ֣צְתָּ (ḥā·p̄aṣ·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire

truth
אֱ֭מֶת (’ĕ·meṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

in the inmost being;
בַטֻּח֑וֹת (ḇaṭ·ṭu·ḥō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 2910: The kidneys, the inmost thought

You teach me
תוֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃ (ṯō·w·ḏî·‘ê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

wisdom
חָכְמָ֥ה (ḥāḵ·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

in the inmost place.
וּ֝בְסָתֻ֗ם (ū·ḇə·sā·ṯum)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 5640: To stop up, to repair, to keep secret


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OT Poetry: Psalm 51:6 Behold you desire truth in the inward (Psalm Ps Psa.)