Psalm 51:6
Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Surely You desire
The phrase "Surely You desire" begins with an affirmation of God's expectations. The Hebrew word for "desire" is "chaphets," which conveys a deep longing or delight. This suggests that God's desire is not a mere preference but a profound yearning for His creation to embody His values. In the context of the psalm, David acknowledges that God's standards are not superficial but deeply rooted in the essence of who we are. This reflects the conservative Christian belief that God's moral law is absolute and unchanging, and His desires for humanity are consistent with His holy nature.

truth
in this context is translated from the Hebrew word "emet," which signifies reliability, faithfulness, and stability. It is not merely factual accuracy but encompasses integrity and sincerity. In the biblical narrative, truth is a fundamental attribute of God's character, and His followers are called to reflect this truth in their lives. The conservative Christian perspective emphasizes that truth is not relative but is grounded in the nature of God Himself, who is the ultimate standard of truth.

in the inmost being
refers to the deepest part of a person, often translated from the Hebrew word "tuchah," which means the hidden or secret parts. This phrase underscores the idea that God is not interested in mere external compliance but seeks authenticity and integrity at the core of our being. The "inmost being" is where true transformation occurs, and it is here that God desires His truth to reside. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this highlights the importance of inner purity and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in sanctifying believers from the inside out.

You teach me wisdom in the inmost place
The phrase "You teach me" indicates an active, ongoing process of instruction from God. The Hebrew root "lamad" implies learning through experience and practice, not just theoretical knowledge. This suggests that God is personally involved in guiding His people towards wisdom, which is a key tenet of conservative Christianity: the belief in a personal God who actively engages with His creation.

wisdom
is derived from the Hebrew word "chokmah," which encompasses skill, insight, and moral understanding. In the biblical context, wisdom is more than intellectual knowledge; it is the practical application of God's truth in daily life. Conservative Christians hold that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is evidenced by a life that aligns with His will.

in the inmost place
reiterates the focus on the heart and soul, the center of one's moral and spiritual life. This phrase emphasizes that wisdom is not just an external display but a deeply rooted characteristic that influences every aspect of a person's being. In conservative Christian thought, this aligns with the belief that genuine faith and understanding are matters of the heart, leading to a life that reflects God's glory.

Persons / Places / Events
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.
Teaching Points
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.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's desire for truth in the inmost being change the way you approach confession and repentance?

2. In what ways can you seek God's wisdom in your daily life, and how does this align with the teaching of Psalm 51:6?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced heart transformation. How did this change your relationship with God and others?

4. How can the account of David's repentance and God's forgiveness encourage you in your own spiritual journey?

5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your heart remains aligned with God's desire for truth and wisdom? Consider connections to other scriptures that emphasize heart transformation.
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 16:7
This verse highlights God's focus on the heart rather than outward appearances, connecting to the theme of inner truth and wisdom in Psalm 51:6.

Proverbs 2:6
This verse speaks of God as the source of wisdom, aligning with the idea that God teaches wisdom in the inmost place.

Jeremiah 31:33
This verse discusses God's law being written on the heart, which parallels the desire for truth in the inmost being.

Matthew 5:8
Jesus speaks of the pure in heart seeing God, which relates to the inner purity and truth that Psalm 51:6 emphasizes.
Better to Be, than to be Thought, ReligiousA. Symson.Psalm 51:6
God Desires Truth in the Inward PartsAndrew Murray.Psalm 51:6
Interior TruthC. H. Parkhurst, D. D.Psalm 51:6
Marks of Truth in the Inward AffectionsS. Hieron.Psalm 51:6
Religion the Only True WisdomS. Hieron.Psalm 51:6
The Importance of Forming True Christian CharacterJohn Hall, D. D.Psalm 51:6
True Knowledge to be Sought from GodAndrew Murray.Psalm 51:6
Truth in the Inward PartsW. H. M. H. Aitken, M. A.Psalm 51:6
Truth in the Inward PartsThomas Horton, D. D.Psalm 51:6
Truth in the Inward PartsD. Dickson, D. D.Psalm 51:6
Repentance and ForgivenessC. Short Psalm 51:1-8
A Petition and an ArgumentPsalm 51:1-19
Blot Out My TrangressionsAndrew Murray.Psalm 51:1-19
David's RepentanceJ. S. Macintosh, D. D.Psalm 51:1-19
God's Former Dealings a Plea for MercyThomas Horton, D. D.Psalm 51:1-19
God's LovingkindnessT. Alexander, M. A.Psalm 51:1-19
God's MercyA. Symson.Psalm 51:1-19
God's-Tender MerciesT. Alexander, D. D.Psalm 51:1-19
LessonsS. Hieron.Psalm 51:1-19
Sin Blotted OutCampbell Morgan, D. D.Psalm 51:1-19
The Exceeding Sinfulness of SinCanon Newbolt.Psalm 51:1-19
The Fifty-First PsalmF. W. Robertson, M. A.Psalm 51:1-19
The Greatness of Sin to a True PenitentMonday Club SermonsPsalm 51:1-19
The Minister's PsalmW. Forsyth Psalm 51:1-19
The Moan of a KingJ. Parker, D. D.Psalm 51:1-19
The Penitent SinnerHomilistPsalm 51:1-19
The Prayer for MercyAndrew Murray.Psalm 51:1-19
The Prayer of the PenitentG. F. Pentecost, D. D.Psalm 51:1-19
The Prayer of the PenitentDavid O. Mears.Psalm 51:1-19
The Psalmist's Prayer for MercyT. Biddulph, M. A.Psalm 51:1-19
Nothing But SinA. Symson.Psalm 51:5-7
Of Original SinD. Clarkson.Psalm 51:5-7
Original DepravityJ. Parker, D. D.Psalm 51:5-7
Original SinArchbishop Magee.Psalm 51:5-7
Original SinG. F. Pentecost, D. D.Psalm 51:5-7
Secrets of the HeartW. Forsyth Psalm 51:5-7
The Fact of Original Sin IndisputablePsalm 51:5-7
The Natural State of Mankind in Regard of SinT. Horton, D. D.Psalm 51:5-7
Total DepravityG. F. Pentecost, D. D.Psalm 51:5-7
People
Bathsheba, David, Doeg, Nathan, Psalmist, Saul
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Behold, Causest, Desire, Desired, Desirest, Hast, Heart, Hidden, Inmost, Inner, Innermost, Inward, Secret, Secrets, Soul, Teach, Truth, Wilt, Wisdom
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 51:6

     1461   truth, nature of
     5173   outward appearance
     5832   desire
     5909   motives, importance
     8367   wisdom, importance of

Psalm 51:1-7

     6174   guilt, human aspects

Psalm 51:1-10

     8272   holiness, growth in

Psalm 51:1-12

     8604   prayer, response to God

Psalm 51:1-17

     1065   God, holiness of
     6655   forgiveness, application
     6735   repentance, examples
     8707   apostasy, personal

Psalm 51:2-7

     4470   hyssop

Psalm 51:3-6

     5024   inner being
     8479   self-examination, examples

Psalm 51:3-7

     6115   blame

Psalm 51:6-7

     6603   acceptance, divine
     8326   purity, moral and spiritual

Library
David's Cry for Pardon
... Blot out my transgressions. 2. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.'--PSALM li. 1, 2. A whole year had elapsed between David's crime and David's penitence. It had been a year of guilty satisfaction not worth the having; of sullen hardening of heart against God and all His appeals. The thirty-second Psalm tells us how happy David had been during that twelvemonth, of which he says, 'My bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night Thy hand
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

David's Cry for Purity
'... Renew a right spirit within me. 11. ... And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. 12. ... And uphold me with Thy free Spirit.' --PSALM li. 10-12. We ought to be very thankful that the Bible never conceals the faults of its noblest men. David stands high among the highest of these. His words have been for ages the chosen expression for the devotions of the holiest souls; and whoever has wished to speak longings after purity, lowly trust in God, the aspirations of love, or the raptures of devotion,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

January the Twenty-Seventh the Confession of Sin
"I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me." --PSALM li. 1-12. Sin that is unconfessed shuts out the energies of grace. Confession makes the soul receptive of the bountiful waters of life. We open the door to God as soon as we name our sin. Guilt that is penitently confessed is already in the "consuming fire" of God's love. When I "acknowledge my sin" I begin to enter into the knowledge of "pardon, joy, and peace." But if I hide my sin I also hide myself from "the unsearchable
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Unimpeachable Justice
There is now agitating the public mind something which I thought I might improve this day, and turn to very excellent purpose. There are only two things concerning which the public have any suspicion. The verdict of the jury was the verdict of the whole of England; we were unanimous as to the high probability, the well-nigh absolute certainty of his guilt; but there were two doubts in our minds--one of them but small, we grant you, but if both could have been resolved we should have felt more easy
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

The Wordless Book
"Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."--Psalm 51:7. I DARESAY you have most of you heard of a little book which an old divine used constantly to study, and when his friends wondered what there was in the book, he told them that he hoped they would all know and understand it, but that there was not single word in it. When they looked at it, they found that it consisted of only three leaves; the first was black, the second was red, and the third was pure white. The old minister used to gaze upon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 57: 1911

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments (Continued)
Bishop Lambeth and Wainwright had a great M. E. Mission in Osaka, Japan. One day the order came from high up that no more meetings would be allowed in the city by Protestants. Lambeth and Wainwright did all they could but the high officials were obstinate and unrelenting. They then retired to the room of prayer. Supper time came and the Japanese girl came to summon them to their meal, but she fell under the power of prayer. Mrs. Lambeth came to find what the matter was and fell under the same power.
Edward M. Bounds—Prayer and Praying Men

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 A. D.
In the fourth period of the Church under the heathen Empire, or the period of the consolidation of the Church, the number of Christians increased so rapidly that the relation of the Roman State to the Church became a matter of the gravest importance (ch. 1). During a period of comparative peace and prosperity the Church developed its doctrinal system and its constitution (ch. 2). Although the school of Asia Minor became isolated and temporarily ceased to affect the bulk of the Church elsewhere, the
Joseph Cullen Ayer Jr., Ph.D.—A Source Book for Ancient Church History

Some Helps to Mourning
Having removed the obstructions, let me in the last place propound some helps to holy mourning. 1 Set David's prospect continually before you. My sin is ever before me' (Psalm 51:3). David, that he might be a mourner, kept his eye full upon sin. See what sin is, and then tell me if there be not enough in it to draw forth tears. I know not what name to give it bad enough. One calls it the devil's excrement. Sin is a complication of all evils. It is the spirits of mischief distilled. Sin dishonours
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Songs of the Fugitive.
The psalms which probably belong to the period of Absalom's rebellion correspond well with the impression of his spirit gathered from the historical books. Confidence in God, submission to His will, are strongly expressed in them, and we may almost discern a progress in the former respect as the rebellion grows. They flame brighter and brighter in the deepening darkness. From the lowest abyss the stars are seen most clearly. He is far more buoyant when he is an exile once more in the wilderness,
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

Transcriber's Note.
There are significant differences in the numerous reprints of Isaac Watts' "Psalms." The first generation of this Project Gutenberg file was from an 1818 printing by C. Corrall of 38 Charing Cross, London. The Index and the Table of First Lines have been omitted for the following reasons: 1. They refer to page numbers that are here expunged; and 2. In this electronic version key words, etc., can be easily located via searches. Separate numbers have been added to Psalms that have more than one part
Isaac Watts—The Psalms of David

How God Answered Donald's Prayer
God often uses children to win grown folks for Christ. Little children not only have a deep faith but a childlike trust in believing that God answers their prayers. "All that ye ask in my name, believing, that ye shall receive." As a young girl, I went to Sunday School and learned about Jesus. Although I knew about my Savior and what He had done to save me, yet I never accepted Him as my own Redeemer and Friend. As years went by, I went into sin and shared in the common sins of worldly people.
S. B. Shaw—Touching Incidents and Remarkable Answers to Prayer

David and Nathan
'And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin.'--2 SAMUEL xii. 13. We ought to be very thankful that Scripture never conceals the faults of its noblest men. High among the highest of them stands the poet- king. Whoever, for nearly three thousand years, has wished to express the emotions of trust in God, longing after purity, aspiration, and rapture of devotion, has found that his words have been before him. And this man
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Out of the Deep of Sin.
Innumerable troubles are come about me. My sins have taken such hold upon me, that I am not able to look up; yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart hath failed me.--Ps. xl. 15. I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight.--Ps. li. 3. I said, I will confess my sins unto the Lord; and so Thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin.--Ps. xxxii. 6. Blessed is the man whose iniquity is forgiven, and
Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep

Cleansing.
As there are conditions requiring to be complied with in order to the obtaining of salvation, before one can be justified, e. g., conviction of sin, repentance, faith; so there are conditions for full salvation, for being "filled with the Holy Ghost." Conviction of our need is one, conviction of the existence of the blessing is another; but these have been already dealt with. "Cleansing" is another; before one can be filled with the Holy Ghost, one's heart must be "cleansed." "Giving them the Holy
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

All are Sinners.
Some time ago we overheard from a person who should have known better, remarks something like these: "I wonder how sinners are saved in the Lutheran Church?" "I do not hear of any being converted in the Lutheran Church," and such like. These words called to mind similar sentiments that we heard expressed long ago. More than once was the remark made in our hearing that in certain churches sinners were saved, because converted and sanctified, while it was at least doubtful whether any one could find
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

God the Holy Spirit the Love which Dwells in the Heart.
"It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments." --Psalm cxxxiii. 2. The fact that love can radiate within man does not insure him the possession of true and real Love, unless, according to His eternal counsel, God is pleased to enter into personal fellowship with him. So long as man knows Him only from afar and not near, God is a stranger to him. He may admire His Love, have a faint sense of it, be pleasantly
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

St. Malachy Becomes Bishop of Connor; He Builds the Monastery of iveragh.
16. (10). At that time an episcopal see was vacant,[321] and had long been vacant, because Malachy would not assent: for they had elected him to it.[322] But they persisted, and at length he yielded when their entreaties were enforced by the command of his teacher,[323] together with that of the metropolitan.[324] It was when he was just entering the thirtieth year of his age,[325] that he was consecrated bishop and brought to Connor; for that was the name of the city through ignorance of Irish ecclesiastical
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

In Fine, Supplication for Pardon, with Humble and Ingenuous Confession of Guilt...
In fine, supplication for pardon, with humble and ingenuous confession of guilt, forms both the preparation and commencement of right prayer. For the holiest of men cannot hope to obtain anything from God until he has been freely reconciled to him. God cannot be propitious to any but those whom he pardons. Hence it is not strange that this is the key by which believers open the door of prayer, as we learn from several passages in The Psalms. David, when presenting a request on a different subject,
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

But Regard the Troops of virgins, Holy Boys and Girls...
37. But regard the troops of virgins, holy boys and girls: this kind hath been trained up in Thy Church: there for Thee it hath been budding from its mother's breasts; for Thy Name it hath loosed its tongue to speak, Thy Name, as through the milk of its infancy, it hath had poured in and hath sucked, no one of this number can say, "I, who before was a blasphemer, and persecutor, and injurious, but I obtained mercy, in that I did in being ignorant, in unbelief." [2130] Yea more, that, which Thou commandedst
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Moral Depravity.
VIII. Let us consider the proper method of accounting for the universal and total moral depravity of the unregenerate moral agents of our race. In the discussion of this subject, I will-- 1. Endeavor to show how it is not to be accounted for. In examining this part of the subject, it is necessary to have distinctly in view that which constitutes moral depravity. All the error that has existed upon this subject, has been founded in false assumptions in regard to the nature or essence of moral depravity.
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

The Sinfulness of Original Sin.
MATTHEW xix. 20.--"The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" In the preceding discourse from these words, we discussed that form and aspect of sin which consists in "coming short" of the Divine Law; or, as the Westminster Creed states it, in a "want of conformity" unto it. The deep and fundamental sin of the young ruler, we found, lay in what he lacked. When our Lord tested him, he proved to be utterly destitute of love to God. His soul was a
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man

How Shall one Make Use of Christ as the Life, when Wrestling with an Angry God Because of Sin?
That we may give some satisfaction to this question, we shall, 1. Shew what are the ingredients in this case, or what useth to concur in this distemper. 2. Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus with his people. 3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case. 4. Shew the believer's duty for a recovery; and, 5. Add a word or two of caution. As to the first, There may be those parts of, or ingredients in this distemper: 1. God presenting their sins unto their view, so as
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

That a Man Ought not to Reckon Himself Worthy of Consolation, but More Worthy of Chastisement
O Lord, I am not worthy of Thy consolation, nor of any spiritual visitation; and therefore Thou dealest justly with me, when Thou leavest me poor and desolate. For if I were able to pour forth tears like the sea, still should I not be worthy of Thy consolation. Therefore am I nothing worthy save to be scourged and punished, because I have grievously and many a time offended Thee, and in many things have greatly sinned. Therefore, true account being taken, I am not worthy even of the least of Thy
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

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