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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:3

For I acknowledge my transgressions (comp. Psalms 32:5 , "I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin"). The first step in repentance is contrition; the second, confession; the third, amendment of life. And my sin is ever before me. I bear it in mind; I do not hide it from myself. I keep it continually before my mental vision. This, too, is characteristic of true penitence. Mock penitents confess their sins, and straightway forget... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:3

A portrait. Lord Macaulay tells us that the Earl of Breadalbane, who was the chief hand in the Massacre of Glencoe, never had rest afterwards. "He did his best to assume an air of unconcern. He made his appearance in the most fashionable coffee-house in Edinburgh, and talked loudly and self-complacently about the important service in which he had been engaged in the mountains. Some of his soldiers, however, who observed him closely, whispered that all this bravery was put on. He was not... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 51:2

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity - literally, “Multiply to wash me.” The word rendered “throughly” is a verb, either in the infinitive or imperative mood, and suggests the idea of “multiplying” or “increasing.” The reference is to that which might need constant or repeated washings in order to remove a stain adverbially to denote intensity, or thoroughness. On the word wash as applicable to sin, see the notes at Isaiah 1:16.And cleanse me from my sin - Remove it entirely. Make me wholly... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 51:3

For I acknowledge my transgressions - literally, I know, or make known. That is, he knew that he was a sinner, and he did not seek to cloak or conceal that fact. He came with the knowledge of it himself; he was willing to make acknowledgment of it before God. There was no attempt to conceal it; to excuse it. Compare the notes at Psalms 32:5. The word ““for”” does not imply that he referred to his willingness to confess his sins as an act of merit, but it indicates a state of mind which was... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 51:2

Psalms 51:2. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, &c. “I have made myself exceeding loathsome by my repeated and heinous acts of wickedness, which, like a stain that hath long stuck to a garment, is not easily purged away; but do not, therefore, I beseech thee, abhor me, but rather magnify thy mercy in purifying me perfectly, and cleansing me so thoroughly, that there may be no spot remaining in me.” Bishop Patrick. Hebrew, הרבה כבסני , harbeh chabbeseeni, is literally, multiplica,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 51:3

Psalms 51:3. For I acknowledge my transgressions With grief, and shame, and abhorrence of myself and of my sins, which hitherto I have dissembled and covered. And, being thus truly penitent, I hope and beg that I may find mercy with thee. This David had formerly found to be the only way of obtaining forgiveness and peace of conscience, Psalms 32:4-5, and he now hoped to find the same blessings in the same way. And my sin is ever before me That sin, which I had cast behind my back, is now... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 51:1-19

Psalms 51:0 David’s repentanceHaving committed adultery with Bathsheba, David then arranged for her husband Uriah to be killed, so that he could take Bathsheba as a royal wife (2 Samuel 11:1-27). The prophet Nathan found out David’s sin, condemned him to his face, then pronounced God’s judgment upon him (2 Samuel 12:1-15). This psalm displays David’s deep sorrow as he confesses his sin to God.David makes no excuses. He acknowledges his sin and realizes that he can do nothing to receive... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 51:2

Wash: as a garment, Hebrew. kabas. Heb form = multiply to wash = wash thoroughly. iniquity. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 . cleanse: i.e. pronounce ceremonially clean. sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 , read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 51:3

acknowledge. Confession is ever the condition of forgiveness. See notes on Psalms 32:5 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 51:2

Psalms 51:2. Wash me thoroughly, &c.— The original כבסני ברבה hereb kabseini is, multiply, or, in multiplying, wash me from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for the word multiply refers to both verbs, wash me and cleanse me, and is well rendered in our version by thoroughly wash me; as a garment often washed is thoroughly cleansed from its impurity. This form of expression is frequent in the Old Testament. See Isaiah 1:16. The meaning of the Psalmist is, that God, by repentance... read more

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