From a Jewish point of view ... Why did King David ask God to ... ?

Question

... create him a new heart?

"Create me a clean heart, ..." (Psalms 51:12) and what does it mean?

Christians, I'm interested in your interpretations as well although I'll probably already be familiar with what you write.

I always love to hear about King David because I find him a very fascinating personality. He was so off way sometimes with his character and behaviour and yet still, God calls him a "man after his own heart". That gives me hope :-) I think because he knew God's grace and mercy and because he didn't think that "he's the man", but that he relied on God.

Answer 1

Because he had sinned terribly......this was right after the whole Bathsheba incident and David wanted to be restored, to be cleaned and renew in His relationship with the Lord.

David was the best, I love his humility and love for the Lord.  An example for all of us.

Answer 2

The Hebrew word "tahor" means pure, though it is often translated as "clean" - it is a ritual state, rather than anything to do with mud-and-dirt cleanliness - the same word is used to describe the animals that are acceptable to eat, and the state of people who have gone to the ritual baths to cleanse themselves of impurities.  

This particular psalm is actually pretty straightforward - it was supposedly written by King David after sinning with Batsheva.  It is a prayer of repentance, asking G-d to forgive him and let him have a clean slate in G-d's eyes.  In Judaism, this is possible, if our repentance is sincere.  Judgment does not wait until after death, but happens every year, as G-d decides what our fate will be.  David was asking for his transgressions - those of the heart - to be wiped clean again, and let him be in a state where he does not sin again.  It's a beautiful passage in the middle of a beautiful prayer.  

Answer 3

When I look at the Tanakh from Judaica Press it reads:

Create for me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Rashi's commentary: so that I do not stumble again.

So, not a new one, but pure one.

The JPS version has "clean" instead of "pure"

Answer 4

Because David had "the desire" to please God yet failed often because He was Human> As A human born into Sin it is Impossible to live without sin..   However, God said He loved David because His heart was like his own..  He "WANTED" to do Good all the time to everyone, but simply failed sometimes and could not...  (because of the nature of sin)

God, said He looks at the "Heart of man"..

David was A King, yet "humble" and realized He was nothing without God...

Answer 5

David realized he needed God's help to be better.