Psalms 51:18
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 51:18
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The psalmist isn't just asking for a physical rebuilding of Jerusalem, but for God to actively and deliberately choose to bless Zion. This isn't a passive wish; it's a request for God to bring about His "good pleasure," a desire that highlights His sovereign grace in strengthening His people.
After confessing his profound sin and crying out for God's mercy, the Psalmist shifts from personal repentance to praying for the restoration and strengthening of God's people, Zion, and the city of Jerusalem. These final verses express a hope that even after his failings, God's favor will be shown to His people, leading to the rebuilding and flourishing of Jerusalem, symbolizing the future establishment and expansion of God's kingdom.
After confessing his deep personal sin, David shifts his focus. What does he ask God for, and why does it matter so much?
In Psalm 51:18, David moves from his intense personal plea for forgiveness to a plea for God's active work in His people. He asks God to 'Do good in your good pleasure unto Zion.' This isn't a plea based on Zion's merit or performance, but on God's own gracious will.
David prays for the 'walls of Jerusalem' to be built. What does this mean for us today, far removed from ancient city walls?
The prayer 'build thou the walls of Jerusalem' extends beyond a literal reconstruction of a physical city. It speaks to the ongoing work of God in building and strengthening His spiritual community, the Church.
Understand the original words
Tsiyyon · Hebrew Proper Noun
The city of David, symbolizing the dwelling place of God’s presence and the focal point of covenant worship and community.
Yerushalayim · Hebrew Proper Noun
The capital of Israel and the site of the Temple, representing the gathered community of God and the place where His holiness resides among His people.
While Psalm 51 is traditionally attributed to David, the plea to 'build the walls of Jerusalem' strongly suggests a later context, likely during or after the Babylonian exile, reflecting the vulnerability and devastation experienced by the city and its people.
c. 970 BC
David's Reign and Temple Plans
King David, after securing his kingdom, desires to build a temple for God in Jerusalem but is forbidden. His son Solomon is chosen for this task.
c. 960 BC
Solomon's Temple Construction
Solomon begins the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, a magnificent structure intended to be the central place of worship.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Conquest and Temple Destruction
The Babylonian army, under Nebuchadnezzar II, conquers Jerusalem, destroys the First Temple, and deports a significant portion of the population.
c. 538 BC
Persian Decree for Return
Cyrus the Great of Persia issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding.
c. 516 BC
This passage directly echoes the sentiment, showing God's sovereign purpose in appointing Cyrus to rebuild Jerusalem, framing the rebuilding of the city walls as part of His divine plan.
Nehemiah 2:17This verse from Nehemiah shows the actual rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, directly fulfilling the prayer in Psalms 51:18 and demonstrating the practical outworking of God's 'good pleasure' for His people.
Zechariah 2:5This prophetic passage describes God Himself as the protective wall around Jerusalem, highlighting the spiritual significance of building up God's people and His presence within it, extending the meaning beyond mere physical walls.
Acts 15:16Quoting Amos, this New Testament passage speaks of rebuilding the 'booth of David,' which is understood to mean the church, showing how the prayer for Jerusalem's walls finds its ultimate fulfillment in the expansion and strengthening of God's spiritual kingdom.
gillPsalms 51:18: "Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem."
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion,.... This verse, and Psalm 51:19 , are thought, by a Spanish Rabbi mentioned by Aben Ezra, to have been added by one of the holy men that lived in the time of the Babylonish captivity; though rather it is thought, by the latter, to be written by David, under a spirit of prophecy, concerning, times to come; and so Kimchi thinks they are prophetic of future things; of…
calvinPsalms 51:16-19: "For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering."
- For thou wilt not accept a sacrifice; though I should give [271] a burnt offering, it would not please thee. 17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God! thou wilt not despise. 18. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion; build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19. Thou shalt then accept the sacrifices of righteousness, even the burnt-offering an…
The psalmist isn't just asking for a physical rebuilding of Jerusalem, but for God to actively and deliberately choose to bless Zion. This isn't a passive wish; it's a request for God to bring about His "good pleasure," a desire that highlights His sovereign grace in strengthening His people.
After confessing his profound sin and crying out for God's mercy, the Psalmist shifts from personal repentance to praying for the restoration and strengthening of God's people, Zion, and the city of Jerusalem. These final verses express a hope that even after his failings, God's favor will be shown to His people, leading to the rebuilding and flourishing of Jerusalem, symbolizing the future establishment and expansion of God's kingdom.
After confessing his profound sin and crying out for God's mercy, the Psalmist shifts from personal repentance to praying for the restoration and strengthening of God's people, Zion, and the city of Jerusalem. These final verses express a hope that even after his failings, God's favor will be shown to His people, leading to the rebuilding and flourishing of Jerusalem, symbolizing the future establishment and expansion of God's kingdom.
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Rebuilding of the Second Temple
The Second Temple is completed and dedicated, though it is a less grand structure than Solomon's original temple.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, receives permission to return to Jerusalem and oversee the rebuilding of its protective walls, which had been in disrepair.
"Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;" — The psalmist isn't just asking for a physical rebuilding of Jerusalem, but for God to actively and deliberately choose to bless Zion. This isn't a passive wish; it's a request for God to bring ab…