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Verse Takeaways
1
Mercy, Not Merit
Commentators unanimously highlight that David's plea for forgiveness is not based on his past deeds or any personal merit. Instead, he appeals directly to God's character—His 'lovingkindness' and 'multitude of tender mercies.' This teaches that the only ground for our hope of pardon is the boundless, compassionate nature of God Himself, not anything we have done or can do.
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Psalms
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Commentaries
18
Albert Barnes
On Psalms 51:1
18th Century
Theologian
Have mercy upon me, O God — This is the utterance of a full heart; a heart crushed and broken by the consciousness of sin. The psal…
Charles Ellicott
On Psalms 51:1
19th Century
Bishop
Blot out. — The figure is most probably, as in Exodus 32:32-33, taken from the custom of erasing a written record ([Reference Psal…
Charles Spurgeon
On Psalm 51:1
19th Century
Preacher
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your lovingkindness:
No eye can discern the tender attributes of God like an eye that is so…
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John Calvin
On Psalms 51:1
16th Century
Theologian
Have mercy upon me. David begins, as I have already remarked, by praying for pardon; and his sin having been of an aggravated description,…
John Gill
On Psalms 51:1
17th Century
Pastor
Have mercy upon me, O God
David, under a sense of sin, does not run away from God, but applies to him, and casts him…
Matthew Henry
On Psalms 51:1–6
17th Century
Minister
David, being convinced of his sin, poured out his soul to God in prayer for mercy and grace. Where should backsliding children return, but to the L…