You know my folly, O God
This phrase acknowledges God's omniscience, emphasizing that nothing is hidden from Him. The term "folly" refers to human errors and foolishness, which in biblical context often relates to sin or moral failings. This admission of folly is a common theme in the Psalms, where the psalmist frequently confesses human weakness and dependence on God's mercy. The acknowledgment of folly can be seen in other scriptures, such as Proverbs 14:12, which warns of the way that seems right to a man but leads to death, highlighting the need for divine guidance. This phrase also prefigures the transparency Jesus had with the Father, as seen in John 17, where Jesus speaks openly to God about His mission and the disciples.

and my guilt is not hidden from You.
The psalmist admits to guilt, recognizing that God is fully aware of his sins. This reflects the biblical understanding that God sees all actions and knows the heart, as stated in 1 Samuel 16:7, where God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances. The concept of guilt in the Old Testament often required atonement through sacrifices, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who bore the guilt of humanity on the cross. This phrase underscores the need for confession and repentance, themes that are central to the message of the prophets and the teachings of Jesus, such as in Luke 15:7, where there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.

1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 69, David is expressing his deep distress and seeking God's intervention. He acknowledges his own shortcomings and sins before God.

2. God
The omniscient and omnipresent deity who knows all things, including the innermost thoughts and sins of individuals. David appeals to God’s knowledge and mercy.

3. Israel
While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of the Psalm often reflects the struggles and spiritual journey of the nation of Israel, with David as their king.Acknowledgment of Sin
Recognize that God is fully aware of our sins and shortcomings. This acknowledgment is the first step towards repentance and spiritual growth.

God’s Omniscience
Understand that nothing is hidden from God. This should encourage honesty in our relationship with Him and reliance on His grace.

Confession and Repentance
Emphasize the importance of confessing our sins to God, trusting in His mercy and forgiveness as demonstrated throughout Scripture.

Humility Before God
Approach God with humility, acknowledging our imperfections and need for His guidance and strength.

Seeking God’s Mercy
Encourage believers to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness, knowing that He is compassionate and ready to restore us.(5) My foolishness.--This does not conflict with a true Messianic application of the Psalm, but is fatal to that which would see in the author not an imperfect type, but a prophetic mouthpiece of Christ.

Verses 5-12. - David follows up his complaint by a confession of sin (ver. 5), which shows that his sufferings are, at any rate, in some measure, deserved; but, at the same time, he pleads that, as his enemies are really persecuting him for his righteous deeds and his adherence to God (vers. 74 11), God is bound to come to his aid, in order that his own honour may be vindicated, and that the godly may not be put to shame on his (David's) account. Verse 5. - O God, thou knowest my foolishness (see Psalm 38:5). According to the teaching both of the Old Testament (Proverbs, passim) and of the New (Mark 7:22; Romans 1:21, 22; Galatians 3:1, etc.), folly is a form of sin. And my sins are not hid from thee. The rebuke of Nathan and the death of his child (2 Samuel 12:7-19) had fully convinced David of this. Thenceforward his sins were ever before him (Psalm 51:3), continually confessed by him, and felt to be as well known to God as to himself. Compare the opening of Psalm 139:, "Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether" (vers. 1-4).

Parallel Commentaries ...


You
אַתָּ֣ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

know
יָ֭דַעְתָּ (yā·ḏa‘·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

my folly,
לְאִוַּלְתִּ֑י (lə·’iw·wal·tî)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 200: Silliness

O God,
אֱ‍ֽלֹהִ֗ים (’ĕlō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and my guilt
וְ֝אַשְׁמוֹתַ֗י (wə·’aš·mō·w·ṯay)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 819: Guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a, sin-offering

is not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

hidden
נִכְחָֽדוּ׃ (niḵ·ḥā·ḏū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3582: To secrete, by act, word, to destroy

from You.
מִמְּךָ֥ (mim·mə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of


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OT Poetry: Psalm 69:5 God you know my foolishness (Psalm Ps Psa.)