For I know my transgressions
This phrase reflects a deep personal awareness and acknowledgment of sin. In the biblical context, King David is the speaker, and he is expressing his understanding of his own moral failures. This acknowledgment is crucial in the process of repentance, as seen throughout Scripture. The Hebrew word for "know" implies an intimate, personal recognition, suggesting that David is not merely aware of his sins but is deeply convicted by them. This aligns with the biblical principle that true repentance begins with the recognition of one's own sinfulness, as seen in passages like 1 John 1:9, which emphasizes confession as a pathway to forgiveness.

and my sin is always before me.
David's statement here indicates a continual awareness of his sin, suggesting that it is something he cannot escape or ignore. This ongoing consciousness of sin is a common theme in the Psalms, where the psalmists often express a sense of being overwhelmed by their iniquities (Psalm 38:4). The phrase "always before me" suggests that David's sin is ever-present in his mind, perhaps indicating a sense of guilt and shame that accompanies unconfessed sin. This is consistent with the biblical teaching that sin creates a barrier between humanity and God, as seen in Isaiah 59:2. Theologically, this awareness can be seen as a precursor to seeking God's mercy and forgiveness, which is a central theme in the message of the Gospel.

1. David
The author of Psalm 51, King David, wrote this psalm as a heartfelt confession after being confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding his sin with Bathsheba.

2. Bathsheba
The woman with whom David committed adultery, leading to a series of sins including the murder of her husband, Uriah.

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 the one to whom David confesses his sins, seeking forgiveness and restoration.Acknowledgment of Sin
Recognizing and admitting our sins is the first step toward repentance and restoration with God. David's awareness of his transgressions serves as a model for us to follow.

The Weight of Sin
Sin has a persistent presence in our lives, as David describes it being "always before me." This awareness should lead us to seek God's forgiveness and strive for holiness.

The Role of Confrontation
Just as Nathan confronted David, we need accountability in our lives to help us recognize and address our sins. God often uses others to bring us to repentance.

The Importance of Confession
Confession is crucial in our relationship with God. It is an act of humility and a step toward healing and reconciliation.

God's Readiness to Forgive
Despite the gravity of our sins, God is always ready to forgive those who come to Him with a contrite heart, as demonstrated by David's experience.(3) For I.--There is an emphatic pronoun in the first clause which we may preserve, at the same time noticing the difference between the violation of the covenant generally in the term transgressions in the first clause, and the offence which made the breach in the second. (See Note Psalm 51:1.) Because I am one who is conscious of my transgressions, and (or, possibly, even) my offence is ever before me.

The thought that he had been unfaithful to the covenant was an accusing conscience to him, keeping his sin always before his eyes, and until, according to his prayer in Psalm 51:1-2, he was received back into conscious relationship again, his offence must weigh upon his mind. This explanation holds, whether an individual or the community speaks.

Verse 3. - For I acknowledge my transgressions (comp. Psalm 32:5, "I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin"). The first step in repentance is contrition; the second, confession; the third, amendment of life. And my sin is ever before me. I bear it in mind; I do not hide it from myself. I keep it continually before my mental vision. This, too, is characteristic of true penitence. Mock penitents confess their sins, and straightway forget them. Real genuine ones find it impossible to forget.

Parallel Commentaries ...


For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I
אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

know
אֵדָ֑ע (’ê·ḏā‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

my transgressions,
פְ֭שָׁעַי (p̄ə·šā·‘ay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6588: Transgression

and my sin
וְחַטָּאתִ֖י (wə·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

is always
תָמִֽיד׃ (ṯā·mîḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 8548: Continuance, constant, ellipt, the regular, sacrifice

before me.
נֶגְדִּ֣י (neḡ·dî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before


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OT Poetry: Psalm 51:3 For I know my transgressions (Psalm Ps Psa.)