Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 3. Iniquities prevail against me ] This is no just rendering of the original, ynm wrbg tnw[ yrbd dibrey avonoth gaberu menni; "iniguitous words have prevailed against me," or, "The words of iniquity are strong against me." All kinds of calumnies, lies, and slanders have been propagated, to shake my confidence, and ruin my credit.
Our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. ] Whatsoever offenses we have committed against thee, thou wilt pardon; µrpkt tecapperem, thou wilt make atonement for them, when with hearty repentance and true faith we turn unto thee. This verse has been abused to favour Antinomian licentiousness. The true and correct translation of the former clause will prevent this.
The old Scottish Version of this verse, in their singing Psalms, is most execrable: - "Iniquities, I must confess, Prevail against me do: And as for our trans-gres-sions Them purge away wilt thou." O David, if thou art capable of hearing such abominable doggerel substituted for the nervous words thou didst compose by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, what must thou feel, if chagrin can affect the inhabitants of heaven!
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - All the praise the Lord receives from this earth is from Zion, being the fruit of the Spirit of Christ, and acceptable through him. Prais is silent unto thee, as wanting words to express the great goodness of God. He reveals himself upon a mercy-seat, ready to hear and answer the prayers of all who come unto him by faith in Jesus Christ. Our sin prevail against us; we cannot pretend to balance them with an righteousness of our own: yet, as for our transgressions, of thine ow free mercy, and for the sake of a righteousness of thine own providing we shall not come into condemnation for them. Observe what it is to come into communion with God in order to blessedness. It is to convers with him as one we love and value; it is to apply ourselves closely to religion as to the business of our dwelling-place. Observe how we com into communion with God; only by God's free choice. There is abundanc of goodness in God's house, and what is satisfying to the soul; ther is enough for all, enough for each: it is always ready; and all withou money and without price. By faith and prayer we may keep up communio with God, and bring in comfort from him, wherever we are. But it is only through that blessed One, who approaches the Father as ou Advocate and Surety, that sinners may expect or can find thi happiness.
Original Hebrew דברי1697 עונת5771 גברו1396 מני4480 פשׁעינו6588 אתה859 תכפרם׃3722
