Psalms 51:2

"For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions."

Key Reflection

David, facing his sin with Bathsheba, humbly appeals to God's mercy and grace, asking for forgiveness not just because of his own righteousness but due to the abundance of God’s loving kindness and tender mercies. This Psalm sets the stage for David’s repentance and highlights the transformative power of divine compassion in the face of personal failure.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

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 atIsaiah 1:16. And cleanse me from my sin -Remove it entirely. Make me wholly pure. See the notes atIsaiah 1:16. In what manner he hoped that this would be done is shown in the following portions of the psalm.

More from Psalms 51

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion