Psalms 51:12

Restore&c. For sin has destroyed that assurance of God's help which is ever a ground of rejoicing (Psalms 9:14; Psalms 13:5; Psalms 20:5; Psalms 35:9). He prays for that deliverance which he is confident (Psalms 51:8) that God can and will grant him.

with thy free spirit Rather, with a free, or, willing spirit. Cp. Exodus 35:5; Exodus 35:22; and the cognate word in Psalms 54:6, -a freewilloffering." He desires to be upheld from falling by such a divine inspiration as will move him spontaneously to think and do such things as are right. His first impulse will be to shew forth his thankfulness in acts (Psalms 51:13).