Wash me throughly from mine iniquity . Wash me, as a fuller washes a fouled garment ( πλῦνον , LXX ; not υίψον ), not as a man washes his skin. And cleanse me from my sin . "Transgressions," "iniquity," "sin," cover every form of moral evil, and, united together, imply the deepest guilt (comp. Psalms 51:3 , Psalms 51:5 , Psalms 51:9 , Psalms 51:14 ). read more
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
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
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned . Though no sins could be more directly against man than adultery and murder, yet David feels that that aspect of them shrinks away into insignificance, and is as if it were not, when they are viewed in their true and real character, as offences against the majesty of God. Every sin is mainly against God; and the better sort of men always feel this. "How can I do this great wickedness," says Joseph, when tempted by Potiphar's wife, " and sin against... read more
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; rather, in iniquity was I brought forth. And in sin did my mother conceive me. It is doubtless true, as Professor Cheyne says, that "the Old Testament contains no theory of the origin of sin"—no formulated doctrine on the subject. But the fact of congenital depravity is stated, not only here, but also in Job 14:4 ; Psalms 58:3 ; it is also implied in Isaiah 43:27 and Hosea 6:7 . read more
Secrets of the heart. "Behold!" This is a word of power. It takes hold. It demands attention. It marks the solemnity and seriousness of the things to be brought before us. The veil is so far lifted. In the light of God, we get glimpses into the awful secrets of the heart. I. THE SECRET OF SIN IS FOUND IN THE CORRUPT HEART . The first thing that startles and staggers us may be some actual transgression; but as we consider the matter, we are forced back and back, and... read more
The prayer now makes a stride in advance. It has been hitherto for the first step in justification—the wiping out of past transgressions. It is now for restoration, for a renewal of spiritual life, for a return to God's favour, and to the spiritual joy involved in it. First, however, an additional confession is made ( Psalms 51:5 , Psalms 51:6 ). Not only have I committed acts of sin ( Psalms 51:1-4 ), but sin is thoroughly ingrained into my nature. I was conceived in it; I was brought... read more
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts (comp. Job 38:36 ). God requires not merely such purity as might be attained by the use of legal and ritual methods; but true inward purity of thought and heart, which is a very different matter. And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom; rather, do thou make me. An optative, according to Professor Cheyne. The meaning is, "As nothing will content thee but this perfect, inward purity, do thou give me into my heart its... read more
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean . "Hyssop" alone could by the Levitical Law cleanse from contact with a corpse ( Numbers 19:18 ) or from the defilement of leprosy (Le Psalms 14:4 ). David recognizes that his impurity is of the extremest kind, and needs the remedy which has the greatest purifying power. Legally, this was the hyssop, with its "blood of sprinkling" (Le Psalms 14:6 , Psalms 14:7 ); spiritually, it was the blood of Christ, which was thus symbolized. Wash me,... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:1-19
This might be called The minister's psalm. We may imagine the servant of the Lord engaged in devout meditation. He looks before and after. He communes with himself as to his life and work. The deepest thoughts of his heart are revealed. I. EVER - GROWING SENSE OF THE EVIL OF SIN . Sin is thought of in the abstract, and its badness is seen. It is looked at in the world, in society, in the Church, and more and more its evils are discerned. But worst of all, it is felt... read more