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Psalm 51:8
Let me hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
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.
9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all of my iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.
Notice
Broken bones are David’s image for the weight of sin before God, yet his prayer still asks that same God for joy and gladness.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
How does David’s request for joy shape what you hope for when you confess sin?
Write on thisWhat do you find hard about David asking the God who broke his bones to make them rejoice?
Write on thisConnect
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
Job 5:17–18“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.Eliphaz speaks of God’s correction; David describes God as breaking his bones and asks him for renewed joy.
Hosea 6:1–2“Come! Let’s return to the LORD; for he has torn us to pieces, and he will heal us; he has injured us, and he will bind up our wounds.Both passages turn toward the God they describe as causing wounds, looking to him for restoration.
Matthew 5:4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.David asks for joy from within sorrow, while Jesus promises comfort to those who mourn.
Psalm 6:2–3Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint. LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.Both prayers describe suffering through bones and appeal to God for relief.
1 Chronicles 4:10Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border! May your hand be with me, and may you keep me from evil, …Both address God with personal requests: Jabez asks for blessing and protection, while David asks for joy.
Psalm 30:2LORD my God, I cried to you, and you have healed me.Both turn to God for restoration; Psalm 51 asks for renewed joy, while Psalm 30 thanks God for healing.
Psalm 126:5–6Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.Both passages speak of joy beyond sorrow: David asks for it, and Psalm 126 promises it to those sowing in tears.
Psalm 119:81–82My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.Both speakers express distress while looking to God for what they lack: joy in one prayer, salvation in the other.
Luke 15:32But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’”Both connect gladness with restoration: David longs for broken bones to rejoice, while the father celebrates his lost son being found.
Luke 4:18“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to …David asks God for joy in brokenness; Jesus announces healing for the brokenhearted and deliverance for the crushed.
Acts 2:37–41Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”Both use bodily images for inward distress: David speaks of broken bones, and Peter’s hearers are cut to the heart.
Isaiah 57:15–18For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble …David asks God to restore joy amid confession; Isaiah describes the Holy One reviving the hearts of the contrite.
Where this verse fits
Guilt and confession. feeling distant from God.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
You do not have to manufacture gladness before praying. David speaks from brokenness, with confession still on his lips, and asks God to restore his joy.
Now put it in your words.
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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).