51 When David was rebuked by the Prophet Nathan for his great offenses, he did not only acknowledge the same to God, with protestation of his natural corruption and iniquity, but also left a memorial thereof to his posterity. 7 Therefore first he desireth God to forgive his sins, 10 And to renew in him his holy Spirit. 13 With promise that he will not be unmindful of those great graces. 18 Finally, fearing lest God would punish the whole Church for his fault, he requireth that he would rather increase his graces toward the same.

To him that excelleth. A Psalm of David, when the Prophet Nathan [a]came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

Have mercy upon me, O God, [b]according to thy loving-kindness: according to the multitude of thy compassions put away mine iniquities.

Wash me [c]thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from mine sin.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 51:1 To reprove him because he had committed so horrible sins, and lain in the same without repentance more than a whole year.
  2. Psalm 51:1 As his sins were manifold and great, so he requireth that God would give him the feeling of his excellent and abundant mercies.
  3. Psalm 51:2 My sins strike so fast in me, that I have need of some singular kind of washing.

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