The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 51:5-12

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The prayer now makes a stride in advance. It has been hitherto for the first step in justification—the wiping out of past transgressions. It is now for restoration, for a renewal of spiritual life, for a return to God's favour, and to the spiritual joy involved in it.

First, however, an additional confession is made (Psalms 51:5, Psalms 51:6). Not only have I committed acts of sin (Psalms 51:1-4), but sin is thoroughly ingrained into my nature. I was conceived in it; I was brought forth in it; only the strongest remedies can cleanse me from it (Psalms 51:7).

But cleansing alone is not enough. I need renewal (Psalms 51:10); I need thy Holy Spirit (Psalms 51:11); I crave, above all, the sense of a restoration to thy favour—a return to the old feelings of "joy and gladness" (Psalms 51:8), even "the joy of thy salvation" (Psalms 51:12).

More for Psalms 51:5-12

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Psalms 51:1-6Psalms 51:1-6 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryDavid, being convinced of his sin, poured out his soul to God in prayer for mercy and grace. Whither should backsliding children return, but to the Lord their God, who alone can heal them? he drew up, by Divine teaching…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 51:1-19Psalms 51:1-19 · The Pulpit CommentaryThis might be called The minister's psalm. We may imagine the servant of the Lord engaged in devout meditation. He looks before and after. He communes with himself as to his life and work. The deepest thoughts of his he…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 51:1-19Psalms 51:1-19 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THIS is the first of a series of fifteen psalms assigned by their titles to David, and mostly attached to special circumstances in his life, which are said to have furnished the occasions for their compositio…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 51:1-8Psalms 51:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryRepentance and forgiveness. Some deny the Davidic origin of this psalm; but most refer it to the time when Nathan charged David with the sins of adultery and murder. In these verses we have set forth the nature of forgi…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 51:5Psalms 51:5 · The Pulpit CommentaryBehold, I was shapen in iniquity; rather, in iniquity was I brought forth. And in sin did my mother conceive me. It is doubtless true, as Professor Cheyne says, that "the Old Testament contains no theory of the origin o…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 51:5-7Psalms 51:5-7 · The Pulpit CommentarySecrets of the heart. "Behold!" This is a word of power. It takes hold. It demands attention. It marks the solemnity and seriousness of the things to be brought before us. The veil is so far lifted. In the light of God,…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 51:1-6David, being convinced of his sin, poured out his soul to God in prayer for mercy and grace. Whither should backsliding children return, but to the Lord their God, who alone can heal them? he drew up, by Divine teaching…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 51:1-19This might be called The minister's psalm. We may imagine the servant of the Lord engaged in devout meditation. He looks before and after. He communes with himself as to his life and work. The deepest thoughts of his he…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 51:1-8Repentance and forgiveness. Some deny the Davidic origin of this psalm; but most refer it to the time when Nathan charged David with the sins of adultery and murder. In these verses we have set forth the nature of forgi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 51:1-19EXPOSITION THIS is the first of a series of fifteen psalms assigned by their titles to David, and mostly attached to special circumstances in his life, which are said to have furnished the occasions for their compositio…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 51:5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; rather, in iniquity was I brought forth. And in sin did my mother conceive me. It is doubtless true, as Professor Cheyne says, that "the Old Testament contains no theory of the origin o…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 51:5-7Secrets of the heart. "Behold!" This is a word of power. It takes hold. It demands attention. It marks the solemnity and seriousness of the things to be brought before us. The veil is so far lifted. In the light of God,…Joseph S. Exell and contributors devotionThe Honest MirrorYou cannot truly value the cross until you honestly face what made it necessary. Ryle said a shallow view of sin produces a shallow Christianity. How seriously do you take your own?J.C. Ryle / DiscipleDeck commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 51:6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts (comp. Job 38:36). God requires not merely such purity as might be attained by the use of legal and ritual methods; but true inward purity of thought and heart, which is a…Joseph S. Exell and contributors