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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 51:5 Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/51-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/19_Psa_051_005.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 51:5 - Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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I was sinful when my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/51.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/51.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/51.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Behold, I was brought forth in guilt, And in sin my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/51.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/51.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/51.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/51.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I was brought forth in [a state of] wickedness; In sin my mother conceived me [and from my beginning I, too, was sinful].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/51.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/51.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/51.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/51.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I have sinned and done wrong since the day I was born. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/51.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/51.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Indeed, I was born guilty. I was a sinner when my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/51.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I have been evil from the day I was born; from the time I was conceived, I have been sinful. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/51.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Indeed, in iniquity I was brought forth; in sin my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/51.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/51.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Look, I was guilty of sin from birth, a sinner the moment my mother conceived me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/51.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Look, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/51.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/51.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Behold, I was born in iniquity. My mother conceived me in sin. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/51.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, I have been brought forth in iniquity, "" And my mother conceives me in sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/51.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Lo, in iniquity I have been brought forth, And in sin doth my mother conceive me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/51.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Behold, I was born in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/51.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/51.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 50:7>For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sinfulness did my mother conceive me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/51.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Behold, I was born in guilt, in sin my mother conceived me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/51.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/51.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For behold, I was formed in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/51.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because in evil I was formed in the womb and in sin my mother conceived me.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/51.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin did my mother conceive me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/51.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For, behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/51-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=6070" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/51.htm">Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hên- (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">Surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/2342.htm" title="2342: ḥō·w·lā·lə·tî (V-Pual-Perf-1cs) -- Or chiyl; a primitive root; properly, to twist or whirl, i.e. to dance, to writhe in pain or fear; figuratively, to wait, to pervert.">I was brought forth</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: bə·‘ā·wō·wn (Prep-b:: N-cs) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">in iniquity;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2399.htm" title="2399: ū·ḇə·ḥêṭ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-ms) -- A sin. From chata'; a crime or its penalty.">I was sinful</a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: ’im·mî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">when my mother</a> <a href="/hebrew/3179.htm" title="3179: ye·ḥĕ·maṯ·nî (V-Piel-Perf-3fs:: 1cs) -- To be hot, to conceive. A primitive root; probably to be hot; figuratively, to conceive.">conceived me.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12</a></span><br />Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-3.htm">Ephesians 2:3</a></span><br />All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/8-21.htm">Genesis 8:21</a></span><br />When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-4.htm">Job 14:4</a></span><br />Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a></span><br />for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a></span><br />The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-22.htm">1 Corinthians 15:22</a></span><br />For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a></span><br />Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Romans 7:18</a></span><br />I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-8.htm">Isaiah 48:8</a></span><br />You have never heard; you have never understood; for a long time your ears have not been open. For I knew how deceitful you are; you have been called a rebel from birth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6</a></span><br />Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-15.htm">Proverbs 22:15</a></span><br />Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-21.htm">Mark 7:21-23</a></span><br />For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Genesis 3:6-7</a></span><br />When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. / And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed together fig leaves and made coverings for themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-7.htm">Romans 8:7</a></span><br />because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.</p><p class="hdg">sharpen</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/58-3.htm">Psalm 58:3</a></b></br> The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/5-3.htm">Genesis 5:3</a></b></br> And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat <i>a son</i> in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/8-21.htm">Genesis 8:21</a></b></br> And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart <i>is</i> evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.</p><p class="hdg">conceive [heb.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/29-9.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/psalms/35-20.htm">Conceive</a> <a href="/psalms/21-11.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/psalms/51-4.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/job/33-6.htm">Formed</a> <a href="/psalms/50-19.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/psalms/51-2.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/psalms/50-20.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/psalms/51-3.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/psalms/38-5.htm">Sinful</a> <a href="/psalms/49-15.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/psalms/42-8.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/58-3.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-14.htm">Conceive</a> <a href="/songs/3-4.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/psalms/52-1.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/65-6.htm">Formed</a> <a href="/psalms/51-11.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/psalms/51-9.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/psalms/69-8.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/psalms/51-7.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/psalms/107-17.htm">Sinful</a> <a href="/psalms/52-5.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/psalms/56-3.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 51</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/51-1.htm">David prays for remission of sins, whereof he makes a deep confession</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/51-6.htm">He prays for sanctification</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">God delights not in sacrifice, but in sincerity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/51-18.htm">He prays for the church</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/51.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/51.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Surely I was brought forth in iniquity;</b><br>This phrase reflects the doctrine of original sin, suggesting that sinfulness is inherent from birth. The psalmist, King David, acknowledges his sinful nature, which aligns with the biblical teaching that all humans inherit a sinful nature due to the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). This concept is echoed in <a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12</a>, where Paul explains that sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, affecting all humanity. The use of "brought forth" indicates the moment of birth, emphasizing that sinfulness is not just a result of actions but a condition present from the beginning of life.<p><b>I was sinful when my mother conceived me.</b><br>This part of the verse underscores the idea that sinfulness is present even at conception, reinforcing the depth of human depravity. It highlights the belief that sin is not merely a result of external actions but is an intrinsic part of human nature. This aligns with <a href="/job/14-4.htm">Job 14:4</a>, which questions how anyone born of a woman can be pure. The reference to conception also points to the need for divine intervention for redemption, foreshadowing the necessity of Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice. In contrast to human conception in sin, Jesus' conception by the Holy Spirit (<a href="/matthew/1-18.htm">Matthew 1:18</a>) signifies His sinless nature, making Him the perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/51.htm">Psalm 51</a>, King David, wrote this psalm as a confession of his sin after being confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/bathsheba.htm">Bathsheba</a></b><br>The woman with whom David committed adultery, leading to a series of events that culminated in David's deep repentance expressed in this psalm.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/n/nathan_the_prophet.htm">Nathan the Prophet</a></b><br>The prophet who confronted David about his sin, prompting David's heartfelt repentance and the writing of <a href="/bsb/psalms/51.htm">Psalm 51</a>.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where David reigned as king and where these events took place.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/o/original_sin.htm">Original Sin</a></b><br>The theological concept that this verse touches upon, referring to the inherent sinfulness of humanity from birth, a doctrine often discussed in conservative Christian theology.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_original_sin.htm">Understanding Original Sin</a></b><br>Recognize that <a href="/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5</a> highlights the doctrine of original sin, emphasizing that sin is an inherent part of human nature from conception. This understanding should lead us to a deeper reliance on God's grace and forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_repentance.htm">The Need for Repentance</a></b><br>David's acknowledgment of his sinful nature underscores the importance of repentance. We must regularly examine our hearts and confess our sins to maintain a right relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_grace_and_redemption.htm">God's Grace and Redemption</a></b><br>Despite our sinful nature, God's grace is sufficient. Through Jesus Christ, we are offered redemption and the opportunity to be made new.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a></b><br>Acknowledging our inherent sinfulness should lead us to humility, recognizing our need for God's mercy and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/teaching_the_next_generation.htm">Teaching the Next Generation</a></b><br>Understanding our sinful nature should motivate us to teach the next generation about the importance of repentance and reliance on God's grace.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_51.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 51</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_inherited_sin_at_birth_valid.htm">Psalm 51:5 – How can one be considered sinful at birth, and is there any scientific or historical basis for the concept of inherited sin? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/were_we_conceived_in_sin.htm">Were we conceived in sin?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'speak_evil_of_no_man'_mean.htm">Were we conceived in sin?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_job_25_and_romans_3_22_align.htm">How do these verses in Job 25 reconcile with other biblical texts that affirm human worth and righteousness through faith (e.g., Romans 3:22)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/51.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Behold, I was shapen . . .</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">Behold, I was born in iniquity.</span><p>The later rabbis, combining this verse with the mystery hanging over the origin and name of David's mother, represent him as born in adultery. (See Stanley, <span class= "ital">Jewish Church, </span>chap. ii., p. 46, Note.) The word rendered <span class= "ital">conceived </span>is certainly one generally used of animal desire. (The marginal <span class= "ital">warm me </span>is erroneous.) But the verse is only a statement of the truth of experience so constantly affirmed in Scripture of hereditary corruption and the innate proneness to sin in every child of man. The argument for a personal origin to the psalm from this verse seems strong; but in <a href="/psalms/129-1.htm" title="Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say:">Psalm 129:1</a>, and frequently, the community is personified as an individual growing from youth to age, and so may here speak of its far-back idolatrous ancestry as the mother who conceived it in sin.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/51.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 5-12.</span> - The prayer now makes a stride in advance. It has been hitherto for the first step in justification - the wiping out of past transgressions. It is now for restoration, for a renewal of spiritual life, for a return to God's favour, and to the spiritual joy involved in it. First, however, an additional confession is made (vers. 5, 6). Not only have I committed acts of sin (vers. 1-4), but sin is thoroughly ingrained into my nature. I was conceived in it; I was brought forth in it; only the strongest remedies can cleanse me from it (ver. 7). But cleansing alone is not enough. I need renewal (ver. 10); I need thy Holy Spirit (ver. 11); I crave, above all, the sense of a restoration to thy favour - a return to the old feelings of "joy and gladness" (ver. 8), even "the joy of thy salvation" (ver. 12). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;</span> rather, <span class="accented">in iniquity was I brought forth. <span class="cmt_word"></span>And in sin did my</span> <span class="cmt_word">mother conceive me.</span> It is doubtless true, as Professor Cheyne says, that "the Old Testament contains no theory of the origin of sin" - no formulated doctrine on the subject. But the fact of congenital depravity is stated, not only here, but also in <a href="/job/14-4.htm">Job 14:4</a>; <a href="/psalms/58-3.htm">Psalm 58:3</a>; it is also implied in <a href="/isaiah/43-27.htm">Isaiah 43:27</a> and <a href="/hosea/6-7.htm">Hosea 6:7</a>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/51-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Surely</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵן־</span> <span class="translit">(hên-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I was brought forth</span><br /><span class="heb">חוֹלָ֑לְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·w·lā·lə·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2342.htm">Strong's 2342: </a> </span><span class="str2">To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervert</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in iniquity;</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעָו֥וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘ā·wō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I was sinful</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝בְחֵ֗טְא</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·ḥêṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2399.htm">Strong's 2399: </a> </span><span class="str2">A crime, its penalty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when my mother</span><br /><span class="heb">אִמִּֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(’im·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">conceived me.</span><br /><span class="heb">יֶֽחֱמַ֥תְנִי</span> <span class="translit">(ye·ḥĕ·maṯ·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person feminine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3179.htm">Strong's 3179: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be hot, to conceive</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/51-5.htm">Psalm 51:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/51-5.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 51:5 Behold I was brought forth in iniquity (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/51-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 51:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 51:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/51-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 51:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 51:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>