Daily Bible Verse - 8/13/2007 - Psalm 51:10

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

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Commentary
Along with Ps. 32, it (Psalm 51) was written by David after his affair with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah, her husband (2 Sam. 11-12). It is one of 7 poems called penitential psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143). To David's credit, he recognized fully how horrendous his sin was against God, blamed no one but himself, and begged for divine forgiveness.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Ps 51:1). Nashville: Word Pub.

"Create in me a clean heart"
The verb translated create is the same one used in Gen. 1:1 and refers to what only God can do.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Ps 51:10). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Daily Bible Verse - 8/12/2007 - Psalm 43:4

Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.

Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.

Psalm 43:4

Commentary
Notice the progression (from the previous verse) to verse 4:

To Your holy hill;
To Your tabernacle;
To the altar of God;
To God my exceeding joy.

The true worshiper is satisfied with neither a geographical location nor a building nor an altar. He must get through to God Himself!

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ps 43:4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?
The first altar in the Bible was the one built by Noah after the Flood (Gen. 8:20).

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.