Psalm 51:10 through Psalm 51:13 (NKJV) And renew a right spirit within me — , “a constant spirit.” The
Hebrew word — ï naôkuòn — means proper, that which is “erect,” or that
which is made to stand up, or which is firm or established. It is used to denote:

(a) That which is upright, right, proper: Exo. 8:26; Job 42:8; Ps. 5:9;

(b) That which is right, true, sincere, Ps. 78:37;

(c) That which is firm, constant, fixed.

We should pray for a heart that would be firm in the purposes of virtue; that would not yield to temptation; that would carry out holy resolutions; that would be steadfast in the service of God. The word “renew” here means to be or to make new; to produce something new. It is also used in the sense of making anew, as applied to buildings or cities in the sense of “rebuilding” or “repairing” them. (Please read Isa. 61:4; 2 Chr. 15:8; 24:4)

The word renew conveys the idea that previously there had been a right and proper spirit in him. Now he is asking God to forgive him and accept him back. The language is that of one who had done right formerly, but who had fallen into sin, and who desired that he might be brought back into his former condition. This situation reminds us of the prodigal son, who after hitting rock bottom, “came to himself” and returned to reconcile himself to the father. Let’s make this holy season and beyond a time of renewing a right relationship with the Lord!