Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 51:3

"For I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me." — Psalms 51:3 (ASV)

For I. —There is an emphatic pronoun in the first clause that we can preserve, while also noting the difference between the general violation of the covenant in the term transgressions in the first clause, and the offence that made the breach in the second. (See Note on Psalms 51:1.) Because I am one who is conscious of my transgressions, and (or, possibly, even) my offence is ever before me.

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 Psalms 51:1-2, he was restored to a conscious relationship, his offence must weigh upon his mind. This explanation holds, whether an individual or the community speaks.