Wash me clean of my iniquity
This phrase reflects a deep desire for purification and forgiveness. In the biblical context, washing is often associated with ritual purification, as seen in the Levitical laws where priests and individuals had to wash to be ceremonially clean (Leviticus 16:4, 24). The plea for washing indicates an acknowledgment of personal impurity and a need for divine intervention. The term "iniquity" refers to moral corruption and guilt, suggesting a recognition of wrongdoing that separates one from God. This plea is a precursor to the New Testament understanding of spiritual cleansing through the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7), highlighting the need for a savior to remove the stain of sin.

and cleanse me from my sin
The request for cleansing goes beyond physical washing to a spiritual renewal. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, cleansing was not only about physical purity but also about restoring one's relationship with God and the community. The word "sin" here encompasses both the act of wrongdoing and its consequences. This plea for cleansing is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to be washed and renewed through the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). The concept of cleansing is also prophetic, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who provides the means for true and complete purification from sin (Hebrews 9:14).

1. David
The author of Psalm 51, King David, wrote this psalm as a heartfelt plea for mercy and forgiveness after his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent confrontation by the prophet Nathan.

2. Bathsheba
The woman with whom David committed adultery, leading to a series of sins including deceit and murder.

3. Nathan the Prophet
The prophet who confronted David about his sin, prompting David's repentance and the writing of this psalm.

4. Jerusalem
The city where David reigned as king and where these events took place.

5. God
The ultimate judge and source of forgiveness to whom David directs his plea for cleansing and mercy.The Need for Cleansing
Recognize that sin creates a barrier between us and God, necessitating a sincere plea for cleansing and forgiveness.

God's Willingness to Forgive
Understand that God is always ready to forgive and cleanse us when we come to Him with a contrite heart, as demonstrated by David.

The Depth of Repentance
True repentance involves acknowledging our sins and seeking God's mercy, not just for forgiveness but for a transformation of heart and spirit.

The Role of Confession
Confession is a crucial step in the process of repentance, as it opens the way for God's cleansing power to work in our lives.

Living a Life of Purity
After receiving God's forgiveness, strive to live a life that reflects His holiness, continually seeking His guidance to avoid future sin.(2) Wash me thoroughly.--Literally, Wash me much, whether we follow the Hebrew text or the Hebrew margin. The two clauses of the verse are not merely antithetic. The terms wash and cleanse seem to imply respectively the actual and the ceremonial purification, the former meaning literally to tread, describing the process of washing clothes (as blankets are washed to this day in Scotland) by trampling them with the feet, the latter used of the formal declaration of cleanliness by the priest in the case of leprosy (Leviticus 13:6-34). (For the iniquity and sin, see Psalm 32:1.)

Verse 2. - Wash me throughly from mine iniquity. Wash me, as a fuller washes a fouled garment (πλῦνον, LXX., not υίψον), not as a man washes his skin. And cleanse me from my sin. "Transgressions," "iniquity," "sin," cover every form of moral evil, and, united together, imply the deepest guilt (comp. vers. 3, 5, 9, 14).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Wash me clean
הֶ֭רֶב (he·reḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

of my iniquity
מֵעֲוֺנִ֑י (mê·‘ă·wō·nî)
Preposition-m | Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

and cleanse me
טַהֲרֵֽנִי׃ (ṭa·hă·rê·nî)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 2891: To be clean or pure

from my sin.
וּֽמֵחַטָּאתִ֥י (ū·mê·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender


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OT Poetry: Psalm 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity (Psalm Ps Psa.)