---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 51"
description: "PSALM 51   :-. On the occasion, compare  :-. The Psalm illustrates true repentance, in which are
comprised conviction, confession, sorrow, prayer for merc"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/51"
---

PSALM 51

. On the occasion, compare . 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.

**1-4.** A plea for mercy is a
confession of guilt.
**blot out**—as from a
register.
**transgressions**—literally,
"rebellions" ([Psalms 19:13](../../../kjv/psalms/19/13);
[Psalms 32:1](../../../kjv/psalms/32/1)).

**2. Wash me**—Purity as well as
pardon is desired by true penitents.

**3. For . . . before me**—Conviction
precedes forgiveness; and, as a gift of God, is a plea for it
([2 Samuel 12:13](../../../kjv/2-samuel/12/13); [Psalms 32:5](../../../kjv/psalms/32/5);
[1 John 1:9](../../../kjv/1-john/1/9)).

**4. Against thee**—chiefly, and
as sins against others are violations of God's law, in one sense
*only.*
**that . . . judgest**—that
is, all palliation of his crime is excluded; it is the design in
making this confession to recognize God's justice, however severe the
sentence.

**5, 6.** His guilt was aggravated
by his essential, native sinfulness, which is as contrary to God's
requisitions of inward purity as are outward sins to those for right
conduct.

**6. thou shalt make,** c.—may be
taken to express God's gracious purpose in view of His strict
requisition a purpose of which David might have availed himself as a
check to his native love for sin, and, in not doing so, aggravated
his guilt.
**truth . . . and . .
.wisdom**—are terms often used for piety (compare [Job 28:28](../../../kjv/job/28/28);
[Psalms 119:30](../../../kjv/psalms/119/30)).

**7-12.** A series of prayers for
forgiveness and purifying.
**Purge . . . hyssop**—The
use of this plant in the ritual ([Exodus 12:22](../../../kjv/exodus/12/22);
[Numbers 19:6](../../../kjv/numbers/19/6); [Numbers 19:18](../../../kjv/numbers/19/18))
suggests the idea of atonement as prominent here; "purge"
refers to vicarious satisfaction ([Numbers 19:18](../../../kjv/numbers/19/18)).

**8. Make . . . joy**—by forgiving
me, which will change distress to joy.

**9. Hide,** &c.—Turn from
beholding.

**10. Create**—a work of almighty
power.
**in me**—literally, "to
me," or, "for me"; bestow as a gift, a heart free from
taint of sin ([Psalms 24:4](../../../kjv/psalms/24/4); [Psalms 73:1](../../../kjv/psalms/73/1)).
**renew**—implies that he
had possessed it; the essential principle of a new nature had not
been lost, but its influence interrupted ([Psalms 73:1](../../../kjv/psalms/73/1)); for [Psalms 51:11](../../../kjv/psalms/51/11) shows
that he had not lost God's presence and Spirit ([Psalms 51:11](../../../kjv/psalms/51/11)), though he had lost the "joy of his salvation"
([Psalms 51:12](../../../kjv/psalms/51/12)), for whose return
he prays.
**right spirit**—literally,
"constant," "firm," not yielding to temptation.

**7-12.** A series of prayers for
forgiveness and purifying.
**Purge . . . hyssop**—The
use of this plant in the ritual ([Exodus 12:22](../../../kjv/exodus/12/22);
[Numbers 19:6](../../../kjv/numbers/19/6); [Numbers 19:18](../../../kjv/numbers/19/18))
suggests the idea of atonement as prominent here; "purge"
refers to vicarious satisfaction ([Numbers 19:18](../../../kjv/numbers/19/18)).

**12. free spirit**—"thy"
ought not to be supplied, for the word "free" is,
literally, "willing," and "spirit" is that of
David. "Let a willing spirit uphold me," that is, with a
soul willingly conformed to God's law, he would be preserved in a
right course of conduct.

**13. Then**—Such will be the
effect of this gracious work.
**ways**—of providence and
human duty ([Psalms 18:21](../../../kjv/psalms/18/21); [Psalms 18:30](../../../kjv/psalms/18/30);
[Psalms 32:8](../../../kjv/psalms/32/8); [Luke 22:32](../../../kjv/luke/22/32)).

**14. Deliver**—or, "Free me"
([Psalms 39:8](../../../kjv/psalms/39/8)) from the *guilt*
of murder ([2 Samuel 12:9](../../../kjv/2-samuel/12/9); [2 Samuel 12:10](../../../kjv/2-samuel/12/10);
[Psalms 5:6](../../../kjv/psalms/5/6)).
**righteousness**—as in
[Psalms 7:17](../../../kjv/psalms/7/17); [Psalms 31:1](../../../kjv/psalms/31/1).

**15. open . . . lips**—by
removing my sense of guilt.

**16.** Praise is better than
sacrifice ([Psalms 50:14](../../../kjv/psalms/50/14)), and
implying faith, penitence, and love, glorifies God. In true penitents
the joys of pardon mingle with sorrow for sin.

**18. Do good,** c.—Visit not my
sin on Thy Church.
**build . . . walls**—is to
show favor compare [Psalms 89:40](../../../kjv/psalms/89/40),
for opposite form and idea.

**19.** *God reconciled,*
material sacrifices will be acceptable (; compare ).

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