51:1(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the
prophet a came unto him, after he had gone in to
Bathsheba.) Have mercy upon me, O God, b according to
thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy
tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
(a) To reprove him, because he had committed horrible sins,
and lain in the same without repentance more then a
whole year.
(b) As his sins were many and great, so he requires that
God would give him the feeling of his excellent and
abundant mercies.
51:2 Wash me c throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me
from my sin.
(c) My sins strike so fast in me, that I have need of some
singular kind of washing.
51:3 For I d acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is]
ever before me.
(d) My conscience accuses me so, that I can have no rest
till I am reconciled.
51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this]
evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when
thou e speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest.
(e) When you give sentence against sinners, they must
confess you to be just, and themselves sinners.
51:6 Behold, thou f desirest truth in the inward parts: and in
the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
(f) He confesses that God who loves pureness of heart, may
justly destroy man, who by nature is a sinner much more
him whom he had instructed in his heavenly wisdom.
51:8 Make me to hear g joy and gladness; [that] the h bones
[which] thou hast broken may rejoice.
(g) He means God's comfortable mercies toward repentant
sinners.
(h) By the bones he understands all strength of soul and
body, which by cares and mourning are consumed.
51:10i Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right
spirit within me.
(i) He confesses that when God's Spirit is cold in us, to
have it again revived, is as a new creation.
51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me
[with thy] k free spirit.
(k) Which may assure me that I am drawn out of the slavery
of sin.
51:13 [Then] will I teach transgressors thy l ways; and
sinners shall be converted unto thee.
(l) He promises to endeavour that others by his example may
turn to God.
51:14 Deliver me from m bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my
salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy
righteousness.
(m) From the murder of Uriah and the others who were slain
with him, (2Sa 11:17).
51:15 O Lord, n open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew
forth thy praise.
(n) By giving me opportunity to praise you, when you will
forgive my sins.
51:17 The sacrifices of God [are] a o broken spirit: a broken
and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
(o) Which is a wounding of the heart, proceeding from
faith, which seeks God for mercy.
51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto p Zion: build thou the
walls of Jerusalem.
(p) He prays for the whole Church, because through his sin
it was in danger of God's judgment.
51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of q
righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt
offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
(q) That is, just and lawful, applied to the right end,
which is the exercise of faith and repentance.
