Psalm 51

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:7

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:7

Whiter than snow. Snow is remarkable for whiteness. As it glistens on the mountains, or lies in virgin purity on the fields, what can compare with it? And yet David speaks of something whiter. Where? Not in nature, but in the kingdom of grace. Of whom? Not Christ, not the holy angels, not the saints in glory, but, strange to say, of himself. Like Paul, he was "the chief of sinners," and he was, therefore, the fitter ensample of the marvellous kindness and grace of God. In his prayer we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:8

Make me to hear joy and gladness (comp. below, Psalms 51:12 ). On forgiveness follows naturally the sense of it, and this sense is in itself a deep satisfaction. But the psalmist seems to ask for something more. He wants not mere negative peace and rest, but the active thrilling joy which those experience who feel themselves restored to God's favour, and bask in the light of his countenance. That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice . That every ache and pain may cease, and be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:9

Hide thy face from my sins . Turn thyself away from them—do not so much as see them. The apostle speaks of times of ignorance, which God "winked at" ( Acts 17:30 ). And blot out all mine iniquities (comp. Psalms 51:1 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:9-12

Renewal and elevation. True repentance is not satisfied with the knowledge of forgiveness, but goes on to seek the renewal and elevation of the nature that has sinned and fallen into disorder. I. HE SEEKS A NEW REVELATION OF THE FORCE OR FAVOUR OF GOD . ( Psalms 51:9 .) "Do not look upon me in anger for my sins, so as to bring me into judgment, but lift upon me the glory of thy face, or presence." And to this end— II. " CREATE IN ME A PURE HEART , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God ; i.e. do more than purify me—do more than cleanse me ( Psalms 51:7 ); by an act of creative power ( בּרא ) make in me a new clean heart. Compare the Christian doctrine of the "new birth" and "new life." And renew a right spirit within me. "Heart" and "spirit" are used interchangeably for the inward essence of man; but, as Professor Cheyne observes, "Heart emphasizes the individual side of a man's life; spirit, its Divine, or at least... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:10

Prayer for a pure heart. "Create in me," etc. Human life belongs to two different worlds, distinct, yet inseparably interwoven—the world of outward nature, and the world of inward experience. Since this psalm was written, amazing changes have passed on outward nature in relation to man's life; but the world of inward experience is substantially unchanged. Even within half a century or less, human labour, discovery, and invention have so modified our relations to the globe we inhabit, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:10-17

True prayer. Prayer is the index of the heart. When true, it is the "heart's sincere desire," and expresses not only the feeling, but the cry of the soul to God. I. THE PRAYER HERE IS THOROUGH - GOING . It is not pardon that is asked—that has been obtained; but renewal. It is not present relief that is craved, but complete restoration, such a change wrought in the heart as is equivalent to a reconstruction, and as will re-establish and fix the right relation to God for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:11

Cast me not away from thy presence. To he "cast away from God's presence" is to be altogether cast out of his covenant, made an alien from him, deprived of his favour and the light of his countenance (see Genesis 4:14 ; 2 Kings 13:23 ). The psalmist deprecates so terrible a punishment, although he feels that he has deserved it . And take not thy Holy Spirit from me . God's Holy Spirit had been poured upon David when he was first anointed by Samuel to the kingly office ( 1 Samuel 16:13... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:11-12

A great evil deprecated, and a great good desired. I. A GREAT EVIL DEPRECATED . The evil is twofold ( Psalms 51:11 ). It is felt that this judgment is deserved. God might justly do this. His presence had been outraged; his Spirit had been not only resisted and grieved, but for a time quenched. But such judgment would be utter ruin and woe, and it is shrunk from with horror. To be "cast away" was ruin, but to have "the Spirit taken away" was to have that ruin made complete and... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:9-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:10-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 51:11-12

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands