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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 51:3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/51-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/19_Psa_051_003.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 51:3 - Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before 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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it haunts me day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/51.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/51.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/51.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin <i>is</i> ever before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/51.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin <i>is</i> always before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/51.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I know my wrongdoings, And my sin is constantly before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/51.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/51.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/51.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/51.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For I am conscious of my transgressions <i>and</i> I acknowledge them; My sin is always before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/51.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/51.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/51.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/51.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I know about my sins, and I cannot forget the burden of my guilt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/51.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/51.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I admit that I am rebellious. My sin is always in front of me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/51.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I recognize my faults; I am always conscious of my sins. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/51.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For I acknowledge my transgression; my sin remains continuously before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/51.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/51.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For I am aware of my rebellious acts; I am forever conscious of my sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/51.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/51.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/51.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/51.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For I know my transgressions, "" And my sin [is] continually before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/51.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For my transgressions I do know, And my sin is before me continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/51.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For I shall know my transgression, and my sin is always before 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 I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/51.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 50:5>For I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/51.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For I know my transgressions; my sin is always before me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/51.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before 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 I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/51.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because I know my crimes and my sins are always in front of me.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/51.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/51.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For I am conscious of mine iniquity; and my sin is continually before me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/51-3.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=6052" 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">2</span>Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: ’ê·ḏā‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know</a> <a href="/hebrew/6588.htm" title="6588: p̄ə·šā·‘ay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Transgression. From pasha'; a revolt.">my transgressions,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2403.htm" title="2403: wə·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Or chattacth; from chata'; an offence, and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also an offender.">and my sin</a> <a href="/hebrew/8548.htm" title="8548: ṯā·mîḏ (Adv) -- From an unused root meaning to stretch; properly, continuance; but used only constant; ellipt. The regular sacrifice.">is always</a> <a href="/hebrew/5048.htm" title="5048: neḡ·dî (Prep:: 1cs) -- From nagad; a front, i.e. Part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually over against or before.">before me.</a> </span><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.…<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="/1_john/1-9.htm">1 John 1:9</a></span><br />If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13</a></span><br />He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-12.htm">Isaiah 59:12</a></span><br />For our transgressions are multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us. Our transgressions are indeed with us, and we know our iniquities:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Romans 7:18-20</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. / For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do. / And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8</a></span><br />If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-13.htm">Jeremiah 3:13</a></span><br />Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice,’” declares the LORD.<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="/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13</a></span><br />But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">2 Samuel 12:13</a></span><br />Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/7-20.htm">Job 7:20</a></span><br />If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I am a burden to You?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-15.htm">1 Timothy 1:15</a></span><br />This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Isaiah 6:5</a></span><br />Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-24.htm">Romans 7:24</a></span><br />What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6</a></span><br />and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-5.htm">Daniel 9:5</a></span><br />we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.</p><p class="hdg">For I</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/32-5.htm">Psalm 32:5</a></b></br> I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/38-18.htm">Psalm 38:18</a></b></br> For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-40.htm">Leviticus 26:40,41</a></b></br> If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; … </p><p class="hdg">my sin</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/40-12.htm">Psalm 40:12</a></b></br> For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/59-12.htm">Isaiah 59:12</a></b></br> For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions <i>are</i> with us; and <i>as for</i> our iniquities, we know them;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/3-25.htm">Jeremiah 3:25</a></b></br> We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/32-5.htm">Acknowledge</a> <a href="/psalms/40-16.htm">Always</a> <a href="/psalms/19-11.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-12.htm">Constantly</a> <a href="/psalms/50-20.htm">Continually</a> <a href="/job/32-12.htm">Error</a> <a href="/psalms/51-2.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/psalms/51-1.htm">Transgressions</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/79-6.htm">Acknowledge</a> <a href="/psalms/56-5.htm">Always</a> <a href="/psalms/58-9.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/psalms/84-4.htm">Constantly</a> <a href="/psalms/52-1.htm">Continually</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-17.htm">Error</a> <a href="/psalms/51-5.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/psalms/65-3.htm">Transgressions</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>For I know my transgressions</b><br>This phrase reflects a deep personal awareness and acknowledgment of sin. In the biblical context, King David is the speaker, and he is expressing his understanding of his own moral failures. This acknowledgment is crucial in the process of repentance, as seen throughout Scripture. The Hebrew word for "know" implies an intimate, personal recognition, suggesting that David is not merely aware of his sins but is deeply convicted by them. This aligns with the biblical principle that true repentance begins with the recognition of one's own sinfulness, as seen in passages like 1 <a href="/john/1-9.htm">John 1:9</a>, which emphasizes confession as a pathway to forgiveness.<p><b>and my sin is always before me.</b><br>David's statement here indicates a continual awareness of his sin, suggesting that it is something he cannot escape or ignore. This ongoing consciousness of sin is a common theme in the Psalms, where the psalmists often express a sense of being overwhelmed by their iniquities (<a href="/psalms/38-4.htm">Psalm 38:4</a>). The phrase "always before me" suggests that David's sin is ever-present in his mind, perhaps indicating a sense of guilt and shame that accompanies unconfessed sin. This is consistent with the biblical teaching that sin creates a barrier between humanity and God, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/59-2.htm">Isaiah 59:2</a>. Theologically, this awareness can be seen as a precursor to seeking God's mercy and forgiveness, which is a central theme in the message of the Gospel.<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 heartfelt confession after being confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding his sin with Bathsheba.<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 sins including the murder of her husband, Uriah.<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 repentance and the writing of this psalm.<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/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate judge and the one to whom David confesses his sins, seeking forgiveness and restoration.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/a/acknowledgment_of_sin.htm">Acknowledgment of Sin</a></b><br>Recognizing and admitting our sins is the first step toward repentance and restoration with God. David's awareness of his transgressions serves as a model for us to follow.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_weight_of_sin.htm">The Weight of Sin</a></b><br>Sin has a persistent presence in our lives, as David describes it being "always before me." This awareness should lead us to seek God's forgiveness and strive for holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_confrontation.htm">The Role of Confrontation</a></b><br>Just as Nathan confronted David, we need accountability in our lives to help us recognize and address our sins. God often uses others to bring us to repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_confession.htm">The Importance of Confession</a></b><br>Confession is crucial in our relationship with God. It is an act of humility and a step toward healing and reconciliation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_readiness_to_forgive.htm">God's Readiness to Forgive</a></b><br>Despite the gravity of our sins, God is always ready to forgive those who come to Him with a contrite heart, as demonstrated by David's experience.<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/what_does_'finger_of_god'_mean.htm">What does the Bible say about confessing sin?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_guilt,_innocence,_shame,_honor_differ.htm">How do guilt, innocence, shame, and honor differ?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_linking_psalm_51_to_david.htm">Psalm 51 – Is there any archaeological or historical evidence that directly correlates this psalm’s context with King David’s life and his acts of repentance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_confessing_our_sins_mean.htm">What does confessing our sins mean?</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>(3) <span class= "bld">For I.</span>--There is an emphatic pronoun in the first clause which we may preserve, at the same time noticing the difference between the violation of the covenant generally in the term <span class= "ital">transgressions </span>in the first clause, and the <span class= "ital">offence </span>which made the breach in the second. (See Note <a href="/psalms/51-1.htm" title="Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving kindness: according to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions.">Psalm 51:1</a>.) <span class= "ital">Because I am one who is conscious of my transgressions, and </span>(or, possibly, <span class= "ital">even</span>)<span class= "ital"> my offence is ever before me.</span><p>The thought that he had been unfaithful to the covenant was an accusing conscience to him, keeping his sin always before his eyes, and until, according to his prayer in <a href="/context/psalms/51-1.htm" title="Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving kindness: according to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions.">Psalm 51:1-2</a>, he was received back into conscious relationship again, his offence must weigh upon his mind. This explanation holds, whether an individual or the community speaks.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/51.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For I acknowledge my transgressions</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/32-5.htm">Psalm 32:5</a>, "I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin"). The first step in repentance is contrition; the second, confession; the third, amendment of life. <span class="cmt_word">And my sin is ever</span> <span class="cmt_word">before me.</span> I bear it in mind; I do not hide it from myself. I keep it continually before my mental vision. This, too, is characteristic of true penitence. Mock penitents confess their sins, and straightway forget them. Real genuine ones find it impossible to forget. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/51-3.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">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">know</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵדָ֑ע</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ḏā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my transgressions,</span><br /><span class="heb">פְ֭שָׁעַי</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ə·šā·‘ay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6588.htm">Strong's 6588: </a> </span><span class="str2">Transgression</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and my sin</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחַטָּאתִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2403.htm">Strong's 2403: </a> </span><span class="str2">An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is always</span><br /><span class="heb">תָמִֽיד׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṯā·mîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8548.htm">Strong's 8548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Continuance, constant, ellipt, the regular, sacrifice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before me.</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶגְדִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(neḡ·dî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5048.htm">Strong's 5048: </a> </span><span class="str2">A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/51-3.htm">Psalm 51:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/51-3.htm">Psalm 51:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/51-3.htm">Psalm 51:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/51-3.htm">Psalm 51:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/51-3.htm">Psalm 51:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/51-3.htm">Psalm 51:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/51-3.htm">Psalm 51:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/51-3.htm">Psalm 51:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/51-3.htm">Psalm 51:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/51-3.htm">Psalm 51:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/51-3.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 51:3 For I know my transgressions (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/51-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 51:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 51:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/51-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 51:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 51:4" /></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>