Psalms 51:14 Meaning and Explanation
“Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist asks deliverance from guilt and promises to proclaim God's righteousness.
The Context of Psalms 51:14
Specific guilt is named and answered with commitment to public praise.
What Does Psalms 51:14 Mean?
'Bloodguiltiness' likely refers to a specific sin involving death (tradition links the psalm to David's sin with Bathsheba and her husband Uriah), though the exact reference remains secondary to the psalm's theology. The term indicates a guilt so grave that it clings to the psalmist like bloodstain. Deliverance is not mere acquittal but removal of the stain itself—restoration of innocence through God's act.
'My tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness' presents praise as the overflow of restored life. The shift from petitions to vow is crucial: the psalmist commits to proclaiming God's righteousness—His right action, His justice, His faithfulness. This public testimony will express the inner transformation sought throughout the psalm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 51:14
What does Psalms 51:14 mean?
The psalmist asks deliverance from guilt and promises to proclaim God's righteousness.
What is the context of Psalms 51:14?
Specific guilt is named and answered with commitment to public praise.