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I. THE KINDS OF SIN are laid down in a variety of expressions: transgression, iniquity, sin. All of them together, for the nature of them, are here exhibited as polluting and defiling. This point sets a price upon the blood of Christ, which "cleanseth us from all sin."

II. THE DESIRE AND ENDEAVOUR OF A GRACIOUS HEART; and that is, to be freed and delivered from this defilement.

1. The object specified. "Mine iniquity and my sin."

2. The act propounded, "Wash me," etc. This washing it may be conceived of two sorts. Either first, in reference to justification, "Wash me," that is, free me from the guilt of it; or else secondly, in reference to sanctification, "Wash me" from the defilement.

3. The intention of the act. "Throughly." It was not any slight kind of sprinkling which would serve David's turn; no, but he would be washed to purpose; he would have this work complete in him. And here we have still a further property in the true servants of God, which is considerable in them; and that is, to have the work both of forgiveness, and likewise of holiness perfected to them. A good Christian would have nothing left impure or unsanctified in him, but would be sanctified throughout; in his understanding, will, affections, outward man, and where he is any way failing; he would have all corruption cleansed from him, he would be generally and universally good as much as may be; and he sets upon reformation of particulars by reforming in general. The reason of it is this —

(1) Because one sin draws on another, in the nature of the thing itself; sins seldom go alone, but have more at the heels of them.

(2) Because the heart of man, being polluted and defiled with sin, is now ready and prone to more; so long as there's any corruption left at the bottom in us, we are never secure from the actings of it at one time or other; and if it chance not to break out now, yet at another time we are sure to hear of it.

4. The vehemency of the affection. "Wash me... and cleanse me." We should be importunate with God in such petitions, and not easily be put off from them.

III. THE MANNER AND PRACTICE OF GOD AS TO FORGIVENESS AND HOLINESS. And that is, to go through with them.

1. Forgiveness is an utter abolition of all kinds of guilt (Psalm 32:1, 2; Isaiah 44:22; Isaiah 38:17; Jeremiah 31:34; Micah 7:18, 19).

2. So as to sanctification; God is also complete in this work, He works throughly.

(1) He works in His Servants a thorough fight of that evil which is in their hearts, the general corruption of their whole nature.

(2) He works in them also a thorough hatred and detestation of all sin, so as to allow of no evil at all in themselves.

(3) He gives sin its mortal wound and death-blow in them; from whence, though it be not absolutely dead, yet it is dying still in them.

(4) He will also one day, and at the last, wholly and absolutely free them from sin.

(Thomas Horton, D. D.)

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KJV: Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

WEB: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.