Word Study: Psalm 51:6 (NKJV)
Text: "Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom."
Key Words and Analysis
"Behold" (הֵן, hēn)
This Hebrew particle serves as an attention-getter, calling the reader to pay special attention to what follows. It emphasizes the importance of the statement and invites contemplation.
"You desire" (חָפַצְתָּ, ḥāp̄aṣtā)
From the root חָפֵץ (ḥāp̄ēṣ), meaning "to delight in, take pleasure in, desire." This isn't merely passive approval but active delight. God doesn't just tolerate truth—He delights in it and desires it from His people.
"Truth" (אֱמֶת, 'ĕmet)
A rich Hebrew word denoting truthfulness, reliability, faithfulness, and integrity. It suggests not just factual accuracy but moral authenticity and trustworthiness. This is truth as a quality of character, not merely intellectual assent.
"Inward parts" (טֻחוֹת, ṭuḥôt)
This rare word (appearing only here in the Old Testament) refers to the inner being, the hidden recesses of the heart. Some translations render it "the inmost being" or "the hidden heart." It points to the innermost thoughts, motivations, and desires—the core of who we are.
"Hidden part" (סָתֻם, sātum)
From סָתַם (sātam), meaning "to conceal, hide, or shut." This parallels "inward parts" and emphasizes the concealed, secret places of the soul that only God can see.
"You will make me to know" (תּוֹדִיעֵנִי, tôdîʿēnî)
From יָדַע (yāda'), "to know." This is causative—God causes David to know. The verb indicates experiential knowledge, not just intellectual understanding. God is the active teacher of wisdom.
"Wisdom" (חָכְמָה, ḥokmâ)
Biblical wisdom is practical skill for living rightly before God. It encompasses moral discernment, understanding of God's ways, and the ability to apply truth to life. It's far more than intellectual knowledge—it's lived-out godliness.
Theological Significance
In this verse, David (writing after his sin with Bathsheba) acknowledges that God's standard isn't external conformity but internal reality. God desires truth at the deepest level of our being, and He alone can teach us the wisdom needed to live authentically before Him. The verse emphasizes both God's diagnostic requirement (truth within) and His transformative promise (He will teach wisdom in our hidden depths).
Text: "Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom."
Key Words and Analysis
"Behold" (הֵן, hēn)
This Hebrew particle serves as an attention-getter, calling the reader to pay special attention to what follows. It emphasizes the importance of the statement and invites contemplation.
"You desire" (חָפַצְתָּ, ḥāp̄aṣtā)
From the root חָפֵץ (ḥāp̄ēṣ), meaning "to delight in, take pleasure in, desire." This isn't merely passive approval but active delight. God doesn't just tolerate truth—He delights in it and desires it from His people.
"Truth" (אֱמֶת, 'ĕmet)
A rich Hebrew word denoting truthfulness, reliability, faithfulness, and integrity. It suggests not just factual accuracy but moral authenticity and trustworthiness. This is truth as a quality of character, not merely intellectual assent.
"Inward parts" (טֻחוֹת, ṭuḥôt)
This rare word (appearing only here in the Old Testament) refers to the inner being, the hidden recesses of the heart. Some translations render it "the inmost being" or "the hidden heart." It points to the innermost thoughts, motivations, and desires—the core of who we are.
"Hidden part" (סָתֻם, sātum)
From סָתַם (sātam), meaning "to conceal, hide, or shut." This parallels "inward parts" and emphasizes the concealed, secret places of the soul that only God can see.
"You will make me to know" (תּוֹדִיעֵנִי, tôdîʿēnî)
From יָדַע (yāda'), "to know." This is causative—God causes David to know. The verb indicates experiential knowledge, not just intellectual understanding. God is the active teacher of wisdom.
"Wisdom" (חָכְמָה, ḥokmâ)
Biblical wisdom is practical skill for living rightly before God. It encompasses moral discernment, understanding of God's ways, and the ability to apply truth to life. It's far more than intellectual knowledge—it's lived-out godliness.
Theological Significance
In this verse, David (writing after his sin with Bathsheba) acknowledges that God's standard isn't external conformity but internal reality. God desires truth at the deepest level of our being, and He alone can teach us the wisdom needed to live authentically before Him. The verse emphasizes both God's diagnostic requirement (truth within) and His transformative promise (He will teach wisdom in our hidden depths).
Word Study: Psalm 51:6 (NKJV)
Text: "Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom."
Key Words and Analysis
"Behold" (הֵן, hēn)
This Hebrew particle serves as an attention-getter, calling the reader to pay special attention to what follows. It emphasizes the importance of the statement and invites contemplation.
"You desire" (חָפַצְתָּ, ḥāp̄aṣtā)
From the root חָפֵץ (ḥāp̄ēṣ), meaning "to delight in, take pleasure in, desire." This isn't merely passive approval but active delight. God doesn't just tolerate truth—He delights in it and desires it from His people.
"Truth" (אֱמֶת, 'ĕmet)
A rich Hebrew word denoting truthfulness, reliability, faithfulness, and integrity. It suggests not just factual accuracy but moral authenticity and trustworthiness. This is truth as a quality of character, not merely intellectual assent.
"Inward parts" (טֻחוֹת, ṭuḥôt)
This rare word (appearing only here in the Old Testament) refers to the inner being, the hidden recesses of the heart. Some translations render it "the inmost being" or "the hidden heart." It points to the innermost thoughts, motivations, and desires—the core of who we are.
"Hidden part" (סָתֻם, sātum)
From סָתַם (sātam), meaning "to conceal, hide, or shut." This parallels "inward parts" and emphasizes the concealed, secret places of the soul that only God can see.
"You will make me to know" (תּוֹדִיעֵנִי, tôdîʿēnî)
From יָדַע (yāda'), "to know." This is causative—God causes David to know. The verb indicates experiential knowledge, not just intellectual understanding. God is the active teacher of wisdom.
"Wisdom" (חָכְמָה, ḥokmâ)
Biblical wisdom is practical skill for living rightly before God. It encompasses moral discernment, understanding of God's ways, and the ability to apply truth to life. It's far more than intellectual knowledge—it's lived-out godliness.
Theological Significance
In this verse, David (writing after his sin with Bathsheba) acknowledges that God's standard isn't external conformity but internal reality. God desires truth at the deepest level of our being, and He alone can teach us the wisdom needed to live authentically before Him. The verse emphasizes both God's diagnostic requirement (truth within) and His transformative promise (He will teach wisdom in our hidden depths).
Arabic
French
Spanish
Portuguese
Deutsch
Turkish
Dutch
Italiano
Russian
Romaian
Portuguese (Brazil)
Greek
हिन्दी