Psalms 51 · Verse 6

Psalms 51:6

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psalms 51:6, King James Version

Psalms 51:6 in other translations

BSBSurely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
WEBBehold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
ASVBehold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; And in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom.
YLTLo, truth Thou hast desired in the inward parts, And in the hidden part Wisdom Thou causest me to know.
DARBYBehold, thou wilt have truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom.
BBEYour desire is for what is true in the inner parts: in the secrets of my soul you will give me knowledge of wisdom.
WebsterBehold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

What does Psalms 51:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 51:5-6

5-6. His guilt was aggravated by his essential, native sinfulness, which is as contrary to God's requisitions of inward purity as are outward sins to those for right conduct.

Read the full comment on Psalms 51:5-6 →

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 6 Behold, thou desirest truth - I am the very reverse of what I should be. Those desirest truth in the heart, but in me there is nothing but sin and falsity. Thou shalt make one to know wisdom - Thou wilt teach me to restrain every inordinate propensity, and to act according to the dictates of sound wisdom, the rest of my life.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 51:1-6

Chapter Outline The psalmist prays for mercy, humbly confessing and lamenting his sins. (1-6) He pleads for pardon, that he may promote the glory of God and the conversion of sinners. (7-15) God is pleased with a contrite heart, A prayer for the prosperity of Zion. (16-19) Verses 1-6 David, being convinced of his sin, poured out his soul to God in prayer for mercy and grace. Whither should backsliding children…

Read the full comment on Psalms 51:1-6 →

Psalms 51:6 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

הֵן\־hen-here!H2005
אֱ֭מֶת'E.metfaithfulnessH571
חָפַ֣צְתָּcha.Fatz.tayou desireH2654
בַטֻּח֑וֹתva.tu.Chotin the covered placesH2910
וּ֝בְסָתֻ֗םu.ve.sa.Tumand in a [place] kept secretH5640
חָכְמָ֥הchokh.mahwisdomH2451
תוֹדִיעֵֽנִי\׃to.di.'E.niyou cause to know meH3045

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 51:6

  • Psalms 15:2

    He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

  • 1 Samuel 16:7

    But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

  • Romans 7:22

    For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

  • 1 Peter 3:4

    But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

  • Job 38:36

    Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?

  • Proverbs 2:6

    For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

  • Luke 11:39

    And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

  • James 4:8

    Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

  • Jeremiah 5:3

    O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:17

    I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

  • John 4:23-24

    But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

  • Jeremiah 32:40

    And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Behold.
26:2; 125:4; Ge 20:5,6; 2Ki 20:3; 1Ch 29:17; 2Ch 31:20,21; Pr 2:21
Jer 5:3; Joh 4:23,24; 2Co 1:12; Jas 4:8
inward.
5:9; 1Sa 16:7; Job 38:36; Lu 11:39; Ro 7:22
in the hidden.
Job 32:8; Jer 31:33; 32:40; 1Pe 3:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 51:5

    Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

  • Psalms 51:6

    Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

  • Psalms 51:7

    Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Read all of Psalms 51

Psalms 51:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
He aquí, tú amas la verdad en lo íntimo: y en lo secreto me has hecho comprender sabiduría.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Contre toi, contre toi seul, j’ai péché, et j’ai fait ce qui est mauvais à tes yeux; afin que tu sois justifié quand tu parles, trouvé pur quand tu juges.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Siehe, du hast Lust an der Wahrheit im Innern, und im Verborgenen wirst du mich Weisheit kennen lehren.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Dilexisti omnia verba præcipitationis; lingua dolosa.