Psalms 51:8 — Word Study
WLCתַּ֭שְׁמִיעֵנִי שָׂשׂ֣וֹן וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה תָּ֝גֵ֗לְנָה עֲצָמ֥וֹת דִּכִּֽיתָ׃
BSAlook!hên truthʼemeth to delight inchâphêts inner partsṭuchâh to closeçâtham wisdomchokmâh to knowyâdaʻ
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| תַּ֭שְׁמִיעֵנִי | you will make hear me | Verb hiphil imperfect second person masculine singular, suffix |
| שָׂשׂ֣וֹן | joy | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה | and gladness | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| תָּ֝גֵ֗לְנָה | let them rejoice | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine plural |
| עֲצָמ֥וֹת | [the] bones | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| דִּכִּֽיתָ׃ | [which] you have crushed | Verb, Piel, perfect second person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. |
| KJV | Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. |
| ASV | Make me to hear joy and gladness, That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. |
| YLT | Thou causest me to hear joy and gladness, Thou makest joyful bones Thou hast bruised. |
| WEB | Let me hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice. |
| BBE | Make me full of joy and rapture; so that the bones which have been broken may be glad. |
All translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse.
The structure features a main clause followed by two noun phrases, emphasizing the psalmist's desire for joy and the condition of his crushed bones.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbוְ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 51:8
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Cry for Restorationgenerated
Psalms 51:8 is part of a heartfelt plea for mercy and restoration. The psalmist acknowledges his brokenness and seeks to experience joy and gladness once more. This verse follows a request for purification and precedes a plea for a clean heart, illustrating the deep connection between sin, sorrow, and the need for divine joy.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 13:5 | But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation. |
| 2 | Psalm 30:11 | You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, |
| 3 | Psalm 119:81–82 | My soul faints for Your salvation; I wait for Your word. |
| 4 | Psalm 126:5–6 | Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. |
| 5 | Matthew 5:4 | Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תַּ֭שְׁמִיעֵנִי, Tash.mi.'e.nigenerated
The verb שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and is built from a primitive root. In this context, it implies an active listening that leads to understanding and obedience. The Hiphil form indicates that the subject (God) causes the action (hearing) to happen, emphasizing the psalmist's reliance on God to restore his ability to hear joy.
This word is frequently used in the Bible to denote not just auditory perception but also the deeper sense of heeding or responding to what is heard, often in a spiritual or moral context.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the core message of the verse, focusing on the psalmist's request to hear joy and gladness.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb תַּ֭שְׁמִיעֵנִי governs the clause, with two noun phrases following: שָׂשׂ֣וֹן and וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה, which are the objects of the request. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's desire for a restoration of joy and gladness after a period of suffering.
The use of conjunctions and noun phrases creates a rhythm that highlights the emotional weight of the psalmist's request, connecting the desire for joy directly to the experience of being crushed.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תַּ֭שְׁמִיעֵנִי with ἀλήθειαν, which suggests a focus on truth and reality in the experience of joy. This choice may indicate an interpretation that joy comes from an understanding of one's true state before God.
This rendering emphasizes the connection between hearing and experiencing truth, aligning with the psalmist's plea for restoration.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 51:8 expresses a deep desire for joy and gladness after a time of sorrow. The psalmist asks God to help him hear joy again, highlighting the emotional struggle of feeling crushed and the hope for restoration.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is expressing a deep need for emotional and spiritual restoration, indicating that he has been in a state of sorrow and seeks to experience joy once more.
The mention of bones symbolizes the innermost being and emotional state, suggesting that the psalmist feels deeply affected by his sin and desires a complete restoration of joy.
This verse encapsulates the themes of repentance and restoration, as the psalmist seeks forgiveness and a return to a state of joy after recognizing his sin.
The psalmist's request highlights the importance of seeking God's help in times of sorrow and the hope that joy can be restored through divine intervention.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek restoration and joy?
- How can I actively listen for God's voice in my life, as the psalmist asks?
- What does it mean to me to have my 'bones rejoice' after a time of sorrow?
- How can I support others who are struggling to find joy in their lives?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers, such as Augustine, have commented on this verse, highlighting its themes of humility and restoration in the context of sin.
But where is humility from hyssop? Hear what follows: "To my hearing You shall give exultation and gladness, and bones humbled shall exult" [Psalms 51:8].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 51 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 51:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleMake me to hear joy and gladness,.... Which he had not heard for some time; sin had sadly broke in upon and interrupted his spiritual peace and joy; for though the love and favour of God cannot be
Read John Gill on Psalms 51 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMake me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 51 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSend me glad tidings of thy reconciliation to me, and by thy Spirit seal the pardon of my sins to my conscience, which will fill me with joy, that mine heart, which hath been sorely wounded and terrified by thy dreadful message sent by Nathan, and by the dismal sentence of thy law denounced against such sinners as I am, now by this occasion brought home to my conscience, may be revived and comforted by the manifestation of thy favour to my soul.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 51 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.Ver. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladness] God will speak peace unto his people, he createth the fruit of the lips to be peace, Isaiah 57:19, &c. No such joyful tidings to a condemned person as that of a pardon. Be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee. Feri, feri, Domine, nam a peccatis absolutus sum, said Luther. David’ s adultery and murder had weakened his spiritual condition, and wiped off all his comforts; but now he begs to be restored by some good sermon or sweet promise set home to his poor soul. That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice] By leaping over God’ s pale he had…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 51 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) The bones which thou hast broken . . .—Through his whole being the psalmist has felt the crushing weight of sin; to its very fibres, as we say, his frame has suffered.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 51 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 8. Make me to hear joy] Let me have a full testimony of my reconciliation to thee; that the soul, which is so deeply distressed by a sense of thy displeasure, may be healed by a sense of thy pardoning mercy.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 51 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5–8. He has inherited a sinful nature; and yet, so he is confident, God can and will make it conform to His desire. The emphatic ‘Behold!’ marks the beginning of a new stanza.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 51 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleMake me to hear joy and gladness - That is, the voice of forgiveness, causing joy and rejoicing. What he wished to hear was the kind voice of God in pronouncing his pardon; not the voice of anger and condemnation.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 51 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
Let me hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
Grant me the ultimate joy of being forgiven! May the bones you crushed rejoice!
Tyndale line
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Make me to hear joy and gladness, That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Make me to heare ioye and gladnes, that the bones, which thou hast broken, may reioyce.
Strictly literal
Make me to hear gladness and joy; [that] the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Thou causest me to hear joy and gladness, Thou makest joyful bones Thou hast bruised.
You cause me to hear joy and gladness, || You make bones You have bruised joyful.
(51:10) Cause me to hear gladness and joy; that the bones which thou hast crushed may rejoice.
Make me hear joy and gladness so that the bones that you have broken may rejoice.
From the Latin
The just shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, and say:
Simplified
Please let me hear joy and happiness again; let the bones you have crushed be glad once more.
Make me full of joy and rapture; so that the bones which have been broken may be glad.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all six words matched, indicating a consistent transmission of the text. The Septuagint's translation reflects a similar understanding of the psalmist's request for joy.
תַּ֭שְׁמִיעֵנִי שָׂשׂ֣וֹן וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה תָּ֝גֵ֗לְנָה עֲצָמ֥וֹת דִּכִּֽיתָ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 51:8
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שָׁמַע (shama`) means 'to hear' and encompasses a range of meanings including listening, obeying, and proclaiming. It is built from a primitive root and can imply attention and understanding. The entries highlight various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of hearing and obeying. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
שָׁמַע 1152 vb. hear
Qal 1052
subj. pers. hum.
י׳ (God) subj.
Niph. 42 be heard, of voice, sound
be heard of
be regarded, obeyed
= (favourable) hearing was granted to their voice.
Pi. he caused the people to hear
Hiph. 63
of man
י׳ subj.
base
H8085 שָׁמַע hear
8085 shama` shaw-mah'
a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with
implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to
tell, etc.):--X attentively, call (gather) together, X
carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content,
declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make
to) hear(-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be)
obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish,
regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell,
understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: hear.
: hear
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to
1a5) to understand (language)
1a6) to hear (of judicial cases)
1a7) to listen, give heed
1a7a) to consent, agree
1a7b) to grant request
1a8) to listen to, yield to
1a9) to obey, be obedient
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound)
1b2) to be heard of
1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed
1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound
1d2) to sound aloud (musical term)
1d3) to make proclamation, summon
1d4) to cause to be heard
n m
2) sound
שָׁמַע (sha.ma) — to hear: obey.
: obey
v
1) to hear, listen to, obey
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hear (perceive by ear)
1a2) to hear of or concerning
1a3) to hear (have power to hear)
HVhi2ms/Sp1bs — Verb hiphil imperfect second person masculine singular · suffixHVhi2ms/Sp1bs
שָׂשׂוֹן (sasown) refers to exultation and rejoicing, encompassing meanings like gladness and cheerfulness. It is derived from a root that emphasizes joy and mirth. The term appears in contexts related to joy and celebration, but no specific verses are cited in the entries.
שָׂשׂוֹן n.m. exultation, rejoicing
base
H8342 שָׂשׂוֹן exultation, rejoicing
8342 sasown saw-sone'
or sason {saw-sone'}; from 7797; cheerfulness; specifically,
welcome:--gladness, joy, mirth, rejoicing.
see HEBREW for 07797
שָׂשׂוֹן (sa.s.von) — rejoicing.
1) gladness, joy, exultation, rejoicing
1a) exultation, joy
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
joi (simchah; chara):
1. Terms:
The idea of joy is expressed in the Old Testament by a wealth of synonymous terms that cannot easily be differentiated. The commonest is simchah (1Sa 18:6, etc.), variously translated in English Versions of the Bible "joy," "gladness," "mirth"; from sameah, properly "to be bright," "to shine" (Pr 13:9, "The light of the righteous rejoiceth," literally, "is bright"), but generally used figuratively "to rejoice," "be glad" (Le 23:40 and very frequent).
Other nouns are masos and sason, both from sus, properly "to spring," "leap," hence, "exult," "rejoice"; rinnah, "shouting." "joy"; gil, from verb gil or gul, "to go in a circle," hence, "be excited" (dancing round for joy), "rejoice." In the New…
שִׂמְחָה (simchah) refers to joy, gladness, and mirth. It encompasses a range of meanings from general joyfulness to religious or festival-related happiness. The word is derived from שִׂמְחָה (H8056), which also relates to pleasure and rejoicing. The entries consistently highlight its positive connotations.
שִׂמְחָה 93 n.f. joy, gladness, mirth
base
H8057 שִׂמְחָה joy, gladness, mirth
8057 simchah sim-khaw'
from 8056; blithesomeness or glee, (religious or
festival):--X exceeding(-ly), gladness, joy(-fulness), mirth,
pleasure, rejoice(-ing).
see HEBREW for 08056
שִׂמְחָה (sim.chah) — joy.
1) joy, mirth, gladness
1a) mirth, gladness, joy, gaiety, pleasure
1b) joy (of God)
1c) glad result, happy issue
HC/Ncfsa — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/Ncfsa
→ See JOY
גִּיל (giyl) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rejoice or be glad, often associated with a sense of excitement or levity. It can also imply trembling, particularly from fear. The word is built from a root that conveys the idea of spinning around due to strong emotions, covering both joy and fear.
[גִּיל] vb. rejoice (go around or about, be excited to levity)
Qal
rejoice
tremble
base
H1523 גִּיל rejoice (go around or about, be excited to levity)
1523 giyl gheel
or (by permutation) guwl {gool}; a primitive root; properly,
to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion),
i.e. usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear:--be glad, joy,
be joyful, rejoice.
גִּיל (gil) — to rejoice.
1) to rejoice, exult, be glad
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to rejoice
1a2) to tremble (from fear)
HVqi3fp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine pluralHVqi3fp
עֶ֫צֶם (etsem) primarily means 'bone' but extends to concepts of substance and self. It can refer to the physical body, limbs, or essence. The word is derived from a root related to strength, indicating a connection between physicality and identity.
עֶ֫צֶם 125 n.f. bone, substance, self
base
H6106 עֶ֫צֶם bone, substance, self
6106 `etsem eh'tsem
from 6105; a bone (as strong); by extension, the body;
figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame:--body,
bone, X life, (self-)same, strength, X very.
see HEBREW for 06105
עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem) — bone.
: bone/limb
1) bone, essence, substance
1a) bone
1a1) body, limbs, members, external body
1b) bone (of animal)
1c) substance, self
עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem) — bone: same.
: same/very
1) bone, essence, substance
1a) bone
1a1) body, limbs, members, external body
1b) bone (of animal)
1c) substance, self
עֶ֫צֶם (e.tsem) — bone: body.
: body
1) bone, essence, substance
1a) bone
1a1) body, limbs, members, external body
1b) bone (of animal)
1c) substance, self
HNcfpa — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
→ Vision of the dry Eze 37:1-14
דָּכָה (dakah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to crush or be crushed, with implications of physical or mental collapse. It appears in various forms, including Qal (to be crushed), Niphal (to be contrite), and Piel (to crush down). The entries suggest a range of meanings related to breaking or being broken, but do not specify any particular verses.
[דָּכָה] vb. id. (only ψ);
Qal dub. and he is crushed, or and he croucheth
Niph. be crushed, broken; be contrite
Pi. crush down
base
H1794 דָּכָה
1794 dakah daw-kaw'
a primitive root (compare 1790, 1792); to collapse (phys. or
mentally):--break (sore), contrite, crouch.
see HEBREW for 01790
see HEBREW for 01792
דָּכָה (da.khah) — to crush.
1) to crush, be crushed, be contrite, be broken
1a) (Qal) to be crushed, collapse
1b)(Niphal) to be crushed, be contrite, be broken
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to crush down
1c2) to crush to pieces
HVpp2ms — Verb · Piel · perfect second person masculine singularHVpp2ms