Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 5. I acknowledged my sin ] When this confession was made thoroughly and sincerely, and I ceased to cover and extenuate my offense, then thou didst forgive the iniquity of my sin. I felt the hardness of heart: I felt the deep distress of soul; I felt power to confess and abhor my sin; I felt confidence in the mercy of the Lord; and I felt the forgiveness of the iniquity of my sin.
Selah. ] This is all true; I know it; I felt it; I feel it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 3-7 - It is very difficult to bring sinful man humbly to accept free mercy with a full confession of his sins and self-condemnation. But the tru and only way to peace of conscience, is, to confess our sins, that the may be forgiven; to declare them that we may be justified. Althoug repentance and confession do not merit the pardon of transgression they are needful to the real enjoyment of forgiving mercy. And what tongue can tell the happiness of that hour, when the soul, oppressed by sin, is enabled freely to pour forth its sorrows before God, and to take hold of his covenanted mercy in Christ Jesus! Those that woul speed in prayer, must seek the Lord, when, by his providence, he call them to seek him, and, by his Spirit, stirs them up to seek him. In time of finding, when the heart is softened with grief, and burdene with guilt; when all human refuge fails; when no rest can be found to the troubled mind, then it is that God applies the healing balm by his Spirit.
Original Hebrew חטאתי2403 אודיעך3045 ועוני5771 לא3808 כסיתי3680 אמרתי559 אודה3034 עלי5921 פשׁעי6588 ליהוה3068 ואתה859 נשׂאת5375 עון5771 חטאתי2403 סלה׃5542
