Psalms 51:13

Then I will teach ¹  rebels your merciful ways, ²  and sinners will turn ³  to you.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.

Then I will teach your ways to sinners, and they will return to you.

Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home.

Then will I make your ways clear to wrongdoers; and sinners will be turned to you.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.

Then I will teach ¹  rebels your merciful ways, ²  and sinners will turn ³  to you.

¹ tn The cohortative expresses the psalmist’s resolve. This may be a vow or promise. If forgiven, the psalmist will “repay” the Lord by declaring God’s mercy and motivating other sinners to repent.

² tn Heb “your ways.” The word “merciful” is added for clarification. God’s “ways” are sometimes his commands, but in this context, where the teaching of God’s ways motivates repentance (see the next line), it is more likely that God’s merciful and compassionate way of dealing with sinners is in view. Thanksgiving songs praising God for his deliverance typically focus on these divine attributes (see Pss 34, 41, 116, 138).

³ tn Or “return,” i.e., in repentance.