Psalms 51:10 is David's cry to the Lord for a pure heart. The Bible doesn't conceal the transgressions of even the noblest of men, and many transgressions did David have! Bathsheba anyone? The sin that David committed with the beautiful Bathsheba is actually what this Psalm is about. It is David's cry out to the Lord after his sinful ways with her.

Psalms 51:10 in the NIV (New International Version) is as follows:

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." 

Let's take it a step further and look a few verses ahead at Psalms 51:7 (NIV):

"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." 

Let's break down a couple of the words used in these translations a little bit further: 

• Clean, used as a transitive verb in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is said "to rid of dirt, impurities, or extraneous matter " or "to rid of corruption". 

• Pure, described as an adjective in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is said to be "clean and not harmful in any way". 

First, let's talk about the word "pure".  If I am going to be really honest, I was having a stressful day, just yesterday, and my heart and my attitude were most definently less than pure. Unfortunately, that less than pure heart and attitude got taken out on my husband a bit more than he deserved. Since I am being completely honest here, I should say, a LOT more than he deserved. He was a good sport, as always, and accepted my apology. In hindsight, I wish I had thought of this verse before I lashed out at my poor husband. 

Have you ever had a day where you may have said something that could be taken as harmful to a friend or loved one that you later regretted? Have you found that at times your heart and attitude were less than pure? Possibly even in possession of a harmful attitude? I think it is pretty safe to say, as we are all sinners, we all have found ourselves in this situation at times.


Now let's discuss the other word used in this verse, "clean". Now this one you could take a few different ways. I think everything mentioned above for the word "pure" could also apply here, but what about our language? What about the actual words we speak. Words can be harmful and they can be corrupt. 

Our pastor made a joke last Sunday in his sermon about how by Sunday mornings he likes to think he gives everyone a good "nudge" for a good start for the beginning of the next week. After going through the last Monday through Saturday we are all probably needing a good Godly nudge! (Can I get an Amen?!) Then he said, "You know you sometimes don't feel like coming to church on Sunday mornings, and you know you cussed at your kids in the car on the way to church and then said PRAISE THE LORD when you saw the parkers (parking lot attendants)"!  He was making a joke but he was also trying to make a point and make it relational to us.  Is it true that sometimes that you may have caught some "uncleanly" words coming out of your mouth? (Hopefully not in front of our kids like our pastor joked about). Language and the words we speak are so important. If we are to be good examples of our faith, the words we speak must not be corrupt, harmful or uncleanly.

Now, I do not confess to being perfect in this respect in any way! I am just as much a sinner as anyone and I know I have caught myself doing this, as much as I hate to admit it. But guess what? We have this verse and a whole Bible full of Godly truths to remind us how we should be choosing our words and carrying our hearts and attitudes. And on top of all of that, we have a merciful God that will forgive us for our sins! 

How about that? Isn't that just the greatest thing? He forgives us - just like He did David. This passage is a great example of how, when we give our life to Him, we too are forgiven. 

Keeping in mind, not only God's word, but also the more literal definitions above of words used in translations of Psalms 51:10, pure and clean, have all of your actions been pure lately? Have they been harmful in any way? I know that I have to sometimes watch that I am not acting harmful to another person in situations where I may become angry or disturbed. Hopefully, in the future, I will remember this verse and remember that I want to be a Godly example of a clean and pure heart.



Blessings to all,