Psalms Chapter 51 verse 18 Holy Bible

ASV Psalms 51:18

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: Build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
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BBE Psalms 51:18

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure, building up the walls of Jerusalem.
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DARBY Psalms 51:18

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem.
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KJV Psalms 51:18

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
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WBT Psalms 51:18

For thou desirest not sacrifice: else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt-offering.
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WEB Psalms 51:18

Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.
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YLT Psalms 51:18

Do good in Thy good pleasure with Zion, Thou dost build the walls of Jerusalem.
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Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerses 18, 19. - That this is an addition made to the original psalm, during the time of the Babylonian exile, or later, for liturgical purposes, has been maintained by a large number of the commentators who ascribe the rest of the psalm to David. The chief ground for the supposition is the prayer in ver. 18, "Build thou the walls of Jerusalem," which has been supposed to imply that the walls were in ruins, whereas under David they should have been, it is thought, in good condition. But it has been pointed out, very justly, that the fortifications of Jerusalem were not complete in David's time, and that both he and Solomon added considerably to them (2 Samuel 5:9; 1 Kings 3:1; 1 Kings 9:15, 19). David may well have thought that, as a punishment for his sin, God might interfere with the work which he was doing for the benefit of his people, and hence have felt it needful to pray, "Do good unto Zion: build thou the wails of Jerusalem." Verse 18. - Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion. It is characteristic of David to pass from prayer for himself to prayer for the people committed to him, and especially to do so at or near the end of a psalm (see Psalm 5:11, 12; Psalm 25:22; Psalm 28:9; Psalm 40:16). And he closely connects - nay, identifies - the people with their capital city (see Psalm 46:4; Psalm 48:11: 69:35, etc.). Build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Josephus says that David encompassed the whole city of Jerusalem with walls ('Ant. Jud.,' 7:3, ยง 2); and we are told, in the Second Book of Samuel, that he "built round about from Mille and inward." It has been argued that his walls were just approaching their completion at the time of his great sin (Christian Observer, No. 333).

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(18) Do good.--The last two verses have occasioned much controversy. They do not fit in well with the theory of Davidic authorship, Theodoret long ago saying that they better suited the exiles in Babylon. They seem at first sight to contradict what has just been asserted of sacrifice. On both grounds they have been regarded as a liturgical addition, such as doubtless the compiler made, without any sense of infringement of the rights of authorship. On the other hand, it is not only these two verses which harmonise with the feelings of the restored exiles, but the whole psalm, and the contradiction in regard to the worth of sacrifices is only apparent. While vindicating spiritual religion, the psalmist no more abrogates ceremonies than the prophets do. As soon as their performance is possible they will be resumed.