Psalms 51:7

Hyssop

Hyssop was the little shrub (1 Kings 4:33) with which the blood and water of purification were applied. (Leviticus 14:1); (Numbers 19:1). Cleansing in Scripture is twofold:

(1) Of a sinner from the guilt of sin; the blood ("hyssop") aspect;

(2) of a saint from the defilement of sin -- the water ("wash me") aspect;

(3) Under grace the sinner is purged by blood when he believes (Matthew 26:28); (Hebrews 1:3); (Hebrews 9:12); (Hebrews 10:14). Both aspects of cleansing, by blood and by water, are brought out in; (John 13:10); (Ephesians 5:25); (Ephesians 5:26).

"He that is bathed needeth not save to wash his feet"; "Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it redemption by "blood, "hyssop," the "bath"] that He might sanctify and cleanse "it with the washing by the word": answering to the "wash me" of verse 7 (Psalms 51:7).