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Psalm 51:6
Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
4Against you, and you only, I have sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge.
5Behold, I was born in iniquity. My mother conceived me in sin.
6Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
7Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8Let me hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
Notice
The “inmost place” brings hidden thoughts into view: God desires truth there, and the psalm’s confession includes trust in his teaching.
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What would truth in your “inward parts” look like in one situation you face today?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 15:2He who walks blamelessly and does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart;Both psalms describe truth within a person: truth in the inward parts and truth spoken in the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks …God’s attention reaches the heart in Samuel, the same inward depth where Psalm 51 says he desires truth.
Job 38:36Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind?Both passages join wisdom with the inward parts, directing attention to God as the source of understanding within.
Romans 7:22For I delight in God’s law after the inward person,Both passages describe a response to God within: inward truth in the psalm, delight in God’s law in Romans.
1 Peter 3:4but from the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.Both texts name what God values within a person: truth in the psalm, a gentle and quiet spirit in Peter.
Matthew 5:8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.Both texts connect a person’s inward life with God: he desires inward truth, and the pure in heart shall see him.
Proverbs 2:6For the LORD gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.God teaches wisdom in the psalm, and Proverbs names the LORD as the one who gives wisdom.
Luke 11:39The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness.Both passages address the inward person before God: the psalm names desired truth, while Jesus exposes extortion and wickedness within.
James 4:8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded.Both passages concern the heart before God, with inward truth in the psalm and a command to purify hearts in James.
1 Chronicles 29:17I know also, my God, that you try the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these …Both prayers acknowledge what pleases God within a person: truth in Psalm 51 and uprightness of heart in Chronicles.
John 4:23–24But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshipers.Truth is something God desires in the psalm and something the Father seeks in those who worship him.
Jeremiah 32:40I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from following them, to do them good. I will put my fear in their hearts, that they …Both speak of God working within people: teaching wisdom in the psalm and putting his fear in their hearts in Jeremiah.
Where this verse fits
Guilt and confession.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Within a prayer of confession, the psalmist still speaks of God as his teacher. God desires inward truth and teaches wisdom in that same hidden place.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).