Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, David Brown (1871). Conservative evangelical (Church of Scotland and Anglican); concise and critical.
On the occasion, compare Sa2 11:12. 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. (Psa. 51:1-19)
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.
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.
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; Psa 119:30).
A series of prayers for forgiveness and purifying.
Purge . . . hyssop — The use of this plant in the ritual (Exo 12:22; Num 19:6, Num 19:18) suggests the idea of atonement as prominent here; "purge" refers to vicarious satisfaction (Num 19:17-20).
in me — literally, "to me," or, "for me"; bestow as a gift, a heart free from taint of sin (Psa 24:4; Psa 73:1).
renew — implies that he had possessed it; the essential principle of a new nature had not been lost, but its influence interrupted (Luk 22:32); for Psa 51:11 shows that he had not lost God's presence and Spirit (Sa1 16:13), though he had lost the "joy of his salvation" (Psa 51:12), for whose return he prays.
right spirit — literally, "constant," "firm," not yielding to temptation.
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.
Praise is better than sacrifice (Psa 50:14), and implying faith, penitence, and love, glorifies God. In true penitents the joys of pardon mingle with sorrow for sin.
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Psalms 51
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, David Brown (1871). Conservative evangelical (Church of Scotland and Anglican); concise and critical.
Introduction to chapter 51
On the occasion, compare Sa2 11:12. 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. (Psa. 51:1-19)
A plea for mercy is a confession of guilt.
blot out — as from a register.
transgressions — literally, "rebellions" (Psa 19:13; Psa 32:1).
Psalms 51:2
Wash me — Purity as well as pardon is desired by true penitents.
Psalms 51:3
For . . . before me — Conviction precedes forgiveness; and, as a gift of God, is a plea for it (Sa2 12:13; Psa 32:5; Jo1 1:9).
Psalms 51:4
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.
Psalms 51:5
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.
Psalms 51:6
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; Psa 119:30).
Psalms 51:7
A series of prayers for forgiveness and purifying.
Purge . . . hyssop — The use of this plant in the ritual (Exo 12:22; Num 19:6, Num 19:18) suggests the idea of atonement as prominent here; "purge" refers to vicarious satisfaction (Num 19:17-20).
Psalms 51:8
Make . . . joy — by forgiving me, which will change distress to joy.
Psalms 51:9
Hide, &c. — Turn from beholding.
Psalms 51:10
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 (Psa 24:4; Psa 73:1).
renew — implies that he had possessed it; the essential principle of a new nature had not been lost, but its influence interrupted (Luk 22:32); for Psa 51:11 shows that he had not lost God's presence and Spirit (Sa1 16:13), though he had lost the "joy of his salvation" (Psa 51:12), for whose return he prays.
right spirit — literally, "constant," "firm," not yielding to temptation.
Psalms 51:12
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.
Psalms 51:13
Then — Such will be the effect of this gracious work.
ways — of providence and human duty (Psa 18:21, Psa 18:30; Psa 32:8; Luk 22:32).
Psalms 51:14
Deliver — or, "Free me" (Psa 39:8) from the guilt of murder (Sa2 12:9-10; Psa 5:6).
righteousness — as in Psa 7:17; Psa 31:1.
Psalms 51:15
open . . . lips — by removing my sense of guilt.
Psalms 51:16
Praise is better than sacrifice (Psa 50:14), and implying faith, penitence, and love, glorifies God. In true penitents the joys of pardon mingle with sorrow for sin.
Psalms 51:18
Do good, &c. — Visit not my sin on Thy Church.
build . . . walls — is to show favor; compare Psa 89:40, for opposite form and idea.
Psalms 51:19
God reconciled, material sacrifices will be acceptable (Psa 4:5; compare Isa 1:11-17).
Public domain text from the HelloAO Free Use Bible API. Bible references link to the King James text.