Psalms 51:3

3 I know the lawless acts I've committed. I can't forget my sin.

Psalms 51:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 51:3

For I acknowledge my transgressions
Before God and man. Acknowledgment of sin is what the Lord requires, and promises forgiveness upon, and therefore is used here as a plea for it; and moreover the psalmist had done so before, and had succeeded in this way, which must encourage him to take the same course again; see ( Psalms 32:5 ) ;

and my sin [is] ever before me;
staring him in the face; gnawing upon his conscience, and filling him with remorse and distress; so that his life was a burden to him: for though God had put away sin out of his own sight, so that he would not condemn him for it, and he should not die; notwithstanding as yet it was not caused to pass from David, or the guilt of it removed from his conscience.

Psalms 51:3 In-Context

1 God, show me your favor in keeping with your faithful love. Because your love is so tender and kind, wipe out my lawless acts.

2 Wash away all of the evil things I've done. Make me pure from my sin.

3 I know the lawless acts I've committed. I can't forget my sin.

4 You are the one I've really sinned against. I've done what is evil in your sight. So you are right when you sentence me. You are fair when you judge me.

5 I know I've been a sinner ever since I was born. I've been a sinner ever since my mother became pregnant with me.