Psalms 51:1

PSALM 51 To the chief musician; to be sung by him and other sacred musicians publicly in the temple through all ages; that his repentance might be as manifest and public as his crime and scandal was. When Nathan the prophet came unto him: after his conscience was awakened by Nathan's words, 2Sa 12, and Nathan was gone, David falls very seriously upon the practice of sincere repentance, and digested his meditations into this Psalm. David prayeth to God for the remission of his original and actual sins, Psalms 51:1,2, whereof he maketh a deep confession, Psalms 51:3; and for the renovation of his Holy Spirit, to support himself and instruct others, Psalms 51:6; promising him also unfeigned and sincere thankfulness, Psalms 51:15; with a prayer for the good of the whole church, Psalms 51:18,19. Have mercy upon me; pity, and help, and answer me, in the desires I am now spreading before thee. According to thy loving-kindness: I pretend to no merit, but humbly implore thy free grace and mercy. Thy mercies are infinite, and therefore sufficient for my relief, and such indeed do I need. Blot out; either,

1. Out of my conscience and soul, where it hath left a stain and filthy character. Or,

2. Out of thy book of remembrance and accounts, in which all men's sins are written, and out of Which all men shall be judged hereafter, Revelation 20:12; which is spoken of God after the manner of men. See Poole on "Isaiah 43:25"; See Poole on "Isaiah 44:22".