Psalms 51
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
On the occasion, compare Sa2 11:12. The Psalm illustrates true repentance, in which are comprised conviction, confession, sorrow, prayer for mercy, and purposes of amendment, and it is accompanied by a lively faith. (Psa. 51:1-19) A plea for mercy is a confession of guilt. blot out--as from a register. transgressions--literally, "rebellions" (Psa 19:13; Psa 32:1).
Open source ↗Have mercy upon me, O God,.... David, under a sense of sin, does not run away from God, but applies unto him, and casts himself at his feet, and upon his mercy; which shows the view he had of his miserable condition, and that he saw there was mercy in God, which gave him hope; and upon his bended knees, and in the exercise of faith, he asks for it; according to thy lovingkindness; not according to his merits, nor according to the general mercy of God, which carnal men rely upon; but according to his everlasting and unchangeable love in Christ; from which as the source, and through whom as the medium, special mercy comes to the children of men. The acts of special mercy are according to the sovereign will of God: he is not moved to mercy neither by the merits nor misery of men, but by his free grace and favour; it is love that sets mercy to work: this is a most glaring gleam of Gospel light, which none of the inspired writers besides, except the Apostle Paul, saw, Eph 2:4; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions; for his sin was complicated, attended with many others; and, besides, upon a view of this, he was led to observe all his other sins; and particularly the corruption of his nature, his original sin, which he mentions, Psa 51:5. These he desires might be "blotted out"; out of the book of account, out of God's debt book; that they might not stand against him, being debts he was not able to pay or make satisfaction for; and out of the table of his own heart and conscience, where they were ever before him, and seemed to be engraven; that they might be caused to pass from him, and he might have no more conscience of them; or that they might be blotted out, as a cloud by the clear shining of the sun of righteousness, with the heali…
Open source ↗Prayer for the remission of sin. Concerning the interchangeable names for sin, vid., on Psa 32:1. Although the primary occasion of the Psalm is the sin of adultery, still David says פּשׁעי, not merely because many other sins were developed out of it, as his guilt of blood in the case of Uriah, the scandal put into the mouths of the enemies of Jahve, and his self-delusion, which lasted almost a whole year; but also because each solitary sin, the more it is perceived in its fundamental character and, as it were, microscopically discerned, all the more does it appear as a manifold and entangled skein of sins, and stands forth in a still more intimate and terrible relation, as of cause and effect, to the whole corrupt and degenerated condition in which the sinner finds himself. In מחה sins are conceived of as a cumulative debt (according to Isa 44:22, cf. Isa 43:25, like a thick, dark cloud) written down (Jer 17:1) against the time of the payment by punishment. In כּבּסני (from כּבּס, πλύνειν, to wash by rubbing and kneading up, distinguished from רחץ, λούειν, to wash by rinsing) iniquity is conceived of as deeply ingrained dirt. In טהרני, the usual word for a declarative and de facto making clean, sin is conceived of as a leprosy, Lev 13:6, Lev 13:34. the Kerמ runs הרב כּבּסני (imperat. Hiph., like הרף, Psa 37:8), "make great or much, wash me," i.e., (according to Ges. ֗142, 3, b) wash me altogether, penitus et totum, which is the same as is expressed by the Chethמb הרבּה (prop. multum faciendo = multum, prorsus, Ges. ֗131, 2). In כּרב (Isa 63:7) and הרב is expressed the depth of the consciousness of sin; profunda enim malitia, as Martin Geier observes, insolitam raramque gratiam postulat.
Open source ↗The title has reference to a very sad story, that of David's fall. But, though he fell, he was not utterly cast down, for God graciously upheld him and raised him up. 1. The sin which, in this psalm, he laments, was the folly and wickedness he committed with his neighbour's wife, a sin not to be spoken of, nor thought of, without detestation. His debauching of Bathsheba was the inlet to all the other sins that followed; it was as the letting forth of water. This sin of David's is recorded for warning to all, that he who thinks he stands may take heed lest he fall. 2. The repentance which, in this psalm, he expresses, he was brought to by the ministry of Nathan, who was sent of God to convince him of his sin, after he had continued above nine months (for aught that appears) without any particular expressions of remorse and sorrow for it. But though God may suffer his people to fall into sin, and to lie a great while in it, yet he will, by some means or other, recover them to repentance, bring them to himself and to their right mind again. Herein, generally, he uses the ministry of the word, which yet he is not tied to. But those that have been overtaken in any fault ought to reckon a faithful reproof the greatest kindness that can be don them and a wise reprover their best friend. Let the righteous smite me, and it shall be excellent oil. 3. David, being convinced of his sin, poured out his soul to God in prayer for mercy and grace. Whither should backsliding children return, but to the Lord their God, from whom they have backslidden, and who alone can heal their backslidings? 4. He drew up, by divine inspiration, the workings of his heart towards God, upon this occasion, into a psalm, that it might be often repeated, and long after reviewed; and this he committed to the…
Open source ↗Pss 51–65 These psalms of David share a common thread in their reflection on the experience of evil. In Ps 51, the psalmist confesses the evil he has done and asks God’s forgiveness. Psalms 52–64 lament specific evils that David experienced. A song of praise (Ps 65) brings David’s laments to an end. Ps 51 This moving prayer for restoration asks for God’s favor, mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing. Out of a broken spirit, the psalmist confesses and accepts responsibility for his sin (51:3-6), then petitions God to remove his guilt and renew him inwardly (51:7-12). The psalmist then recommits himself to a lifestyle of wisdom and joy in the service of God and others (51:13-17). 51:title regarding the time Nathan . . . Bathsheba: See 2 Sam 11:1-27. The text of the psalm contains no explicit reference to this event. 51:1-2 The repentant offender has nothing to offer God. He needs God’s favor, mercy, forgiveness, and blessing before he can experience renewal and restoration. 51:1 A prayer for God’s mercy and kindness is part of the genre of lament. Sometimes the plea comes from the psalmist’s acknowledgment of his weakness and sin, as here (see also 6:2; 9:13; 25:16; 31:9; 41:4, 10). At other times, it arises from the psalmist’s commitment to the Lord (see 26:11; 27:7; 119:29, 58, 132). In each case, God’s mercy brings an inner renewal.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נָצַח (nâtsach, H5329) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of… מִזְמוֹר (mizmôwr, H4210) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse נָתָן (Nâthân, H5416) — Nathan, the name of five Israelites נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּת־שֶׁבַע (Bath-Shebaʻ, H1339) — Bath-Sheba, the mother of Solomon חָנַן (chânan, H2603) — properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) רַחַם (racham, H7356) — compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by… מָחָה (mâchâh, H4229) — properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil),… פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious)
Open source ↗כָּבַס (kâbaç, H3526) — to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal… רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil טָהֵר (ṭâhêr, H2891) — to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally,… חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or…
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as…
Open source ↗חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) צָדַק (tsâdaq, H6663) — to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… זָכָה (zâkâh, H2135) — to be translucent; figuratively, to be innocent שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or…
Open source ↗חוּל (chûwl, H2342) — properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to… עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil חֵטְא (chêṭᵉʼ, H2399) — a crime or its penalty אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… יָחַם (yâcham, H3179) — probably to be hot; figuratively, to conceive
Open source ↗חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2654) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to… אֶמֶת (ʼemeth, H571) — stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness טֻחָה (ṭuchâh, H2910) — (in the plural only) the kidneys (as being covered); hence (figuratively) the inmost… סָתַם (çâtham, H5640) — to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense)
Open source ↗חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… אֵזוֹב (ʼêzôwb, H231) — hyssop טָהֵר (ṭâhêr, H2891) — to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally,… כָּבַס (kâbaç, H3526) — to trample; hence, to wash (properly, by stamping with the feet), whether literal… לָבַן (lâban, H3835) — to be (or become) white; to make bricks שֶׁלֶג (sheleg, H7950) — snow (probably from its whiteness)
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… שָׂשׂוֹן (sâsôwn, H8342) — cheerfulness; specifically, welcome שִׂמְחָה (simchâh, H8057) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival) עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… דָּכָה (dâkâh, H1794) — to collapse (phys. or mentally) גִּיל (gîyl, H1523) — properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e. usually…
Open source ↗סָתַר (çâthar, H5641) — to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… חֵטְא (chêṭᵉʼ, H2399) — a crime or its penalty מָחָה (mâchâh, H4229) — properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil),… עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil
Open source ↗בָּרָא (bârâʼ, H1254) — (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative… טָהוֹר (ṭâhôwr, H2889) — pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חָדַשׁ (châdash, H2318) — to be new; causatively, to rebuild כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial…
Open source ↗שָׁלַךְ (shâlak, H7993) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… שָׂשׂוֹן (sâsôwn, H8342) — cheerfulness; specifically, welcome יֶשַׁע (yeshaʻ, H3468) — liberty, deliverance, prosperity סָמַךְ (çâmak, H5564) — to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a… נָדִיב (nâdîyb, H5081) — properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) פָּשַׁע (pâshaʻ, H6586) — to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb חַטָּא (chaṭṭâʼ, H2400) — a criminal, or one accounted guilty שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… תְּשׁוּעָה (tᵉshûwʻâh, H8668) — rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual) לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… רָנַן (rânan, H7442) — properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy) צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,
I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.
I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.
Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities.
having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!
Answer me, O LORD, for Your loving devotion is good; turn to me in keeping with Your great compassion.
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved my distress; show me grace and hear my prayer.
And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion.
Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion.
Deal with Your servant according to Your loving devotion, and teach me Your statutes.