Psalms 19:12

KJV

Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults].

KJV (with Strong's)

Who can understand {H995} his errors {H7691}? cleanse {H5352} thou me from secret {H5641} faults.

Complete Jewish Bible

Who can discern unintentional sins? Cleanse me from hidden faults.

Berean Standard Bible

Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

American Standard Version

Who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden faults.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 19:12 marks a profound shift in the psalmist's meditation, moving from the majestic revelation of God's glory in creation and the perfection of His divine law to a deeply personal confession and plea for purification. After contemplating the flawless and life-giving nature of God's commandments, the psalmist is led to a humble self-examination, recognizing the pervasive and often unseen nature of his own shortcomings and the insidious presence of sin, even those faults hidden from his own awareness. This verse encapsulates a crucial aspect of spiritual maturity: the more one understands God's holy standard, the more acutely one perceives one's own need for divine cleansing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 19 is a masterpiece of Hebrew poetry, uniquely structured into two distinct yet complementary sections. The first section (verses 1-6) celebrates God's glory as revealed through the natural world—the "heavens declare the glory of God" [the creation account](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory"). This is often termed "general revelation." The second section (verses 7-11) praises God's perfect law, statutes, precepts, and judgments, describing them as pure, true, righteous, and more desirable than the finest gold. This is "special revelation," revealing God's character and will through His Word. Verse 12 serves as the pivotal transition, a deeply personal response to both forms of revelation. The psalmist, having been overwhelmed by God's manifest perfection in creation and His Law, is now humbled to confront his own imperfection, leading to a prayer of confession and supplication. The subsequent verses (13-14) continue this personal plea, asking for deliverance from presumptuous sins and for acceptable words and thoughts.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the superscription attributes Psalm 19 to David, the exact historical occasion is not specified. However, the themes resonate deeply with the Israelite understanding of God's covenant and law. The Mosaic Law, given at Sinai, was central to their identity and relationship with Yahweh. It provided a clear standard for righteousness, and deviations from it were considered sin. The concept of "unintentional" or "secret" sins was well-established in Israelite sacrificial law, which prescribed offerings for sins committed unknowingly (e.g., [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Laws for Unintentional Sins")). This highlights an awareness that human beings could transgress God's commands even without conscious intent, underscoring the pervasive nature of sin and the need for atonement. The psalmist's prayer reflects a profound spiritual maturity, moving beyond mere outward conformity to the Law toward an inward desire for purity, acknowledging God's omniscience and the human heart's capacity for self-deception.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 19:12 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **pervasiveness of sin**, indicating that human fallibility extends even to errors unknown to the individual, highlighting the [deceitfulness of the human heart](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitful Heart"). Secondly, it emphasizes **divine omniscience**, acknowledging that God alone sees and understands the full extent of human sin, including those "secret faults" hidden from the sinner's own consciousness. This recognition naturally leads to the third theme: the **necessity of divine cleansing and grace**. The psalmist's plea for God to "cleanse thou me" reveals an understanding that human effort alone is insufficient for true purity; only God's intervention can purify the heart from both known and unknown transgressions. Finally, the verse exemplifies **humility and dependence on God**, as the psalmist, despite being a king and a man after God's own heart, bows in recognition of his deep spiritual need before a holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Errors (Hebrew, שְׁגִיאוֹת, _sh'giyot_):** This plural noun, derived from the root שָׁגָה (_shagah_), refers to unintentional sins, mistakes, or unwitting transgressions. It implies actions committed out of ignorance, oversight, or inadvertence, rather than deliberate rebellion or malicious intent. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, specific offerings were prescribed for such "errors" (e.g., [Leviticus 4:2](/leviticus/4-2 "Leviticus 4:2 - Unintentional Sins")). The psalmist's question, "Who can understand his errors?" highlights the human inability to fully grasp the extent of these unwitting offenses, suggesting a profound awareness of the heart's hidden complexities and the subtlety of sin.
* **Secret faults (Hebrew, נִסְתָּרוֹת, _nistārôt_):** This term literally means "hidden things" or "concealed things." It refers to sins that are not only unknown to others but, more significantly, are hidden even from the individual's own awareness or consciousness. These could be deeply ingrained attitudes, unconscious biases, subtle motivations, or even patterns of thought and behavior that are contrary to God's character but go unnoticed by the sinner. The plea to be cleansed from "secret faults" demonstrates a deep spiritual insight into the pervasive and insidious nature of sin, which can operate beneath the surface of conscious intention, making divine illumination and purification absolutely essential.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who can understand [his] errors?"**: This is a rhetorical question, implying that no one can fully comprehend the depth and breadth of their own unintentional sins or mistakes. It speaks to the limitations of human self-knowledge and the pervasive nature of sin that can manifest even without conscious awareness or malicious intent. The psalmist recognizes that many of his transgressions might be unknown to him, highlighting the need for divine insight and revelation.
* **"cleanse thou me from secret [faults]."**: This is a direct, humble supplication to God. Following the rhetorical question, the psalmist acknowledges that since he cannot fully discern his own hidden faults, only God, who is omniscient and sees all, can reveal and purify him from them. The verb "cleanse" (נַקֵּה, _naqqeh_) is an imperative, a fervent prayer for divine purification, emphasizing God's role as the ultimate source of spiritual purity and the necessity of His grace to address the deepest, most hidden aspects of sin within the human heart.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 19:12 employs several potent literary devices. The opening phrase, "Who can understand [his] errors?", is a classic example of a **Rhetorical Question**. This device is not meant to elicit an answer but to emphasize a point; in this case, the profound human inability to fully grasp the extent of one's own unintentional sins. It highlights the limitations of human self-awareness in the face of God's perfect law. Following this, the verse presents a direct **Supplication** or plea: "cleanse thou me from secret [faults]." This shift from contemplation to fervent prayer underscores the personal and practical impact of God's revelation. There is also an implicit **Contrast** between the perfection of God's law (described in verses 7-11) and the imperfection and hidden sinfulness of humanity (expressed in verse 12). This contrast serves to magnify God's holiness and the human need for His grace. The concept of "secret faults" itself can be seen as a form of **Metaphor**, representing sins that are hidden from the conscious mind, like something concealed beneath a surface, requiring divine light to expose and remove.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 19:12 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of sin, the omniscience of God, and the necessity of divine grace for human sanctification. It moves beyond a superficial understanding of sin as merely overt acts of rebellion, delving into the deeper, often unconscious, dimensions of human fallenness. The psalmist's plea recognizes that true purity requires God's intervention to cleanse even those hidden imperfections that escape human detection. This verse beautifully illustrates the principle that proximity to God's holiness (as revealed in His creation and law) naturally exposes the depth of one's own sinfulness, leading to humility and a desperate cry for cleansing that only God can provide. It foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on the heart's condition and the need for inner transformation.
* [Leviticus 4:2](/leviticus/4-2 "Leviticus 4:2 - Laws for Unintentional Sins")
* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart")
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 19:12 serves as a powerful invitation to profound spiritual introspection and humility. In a world often focused on outward appearances and self-justification, this verse calls us to a deeper level of self-awareness, acknowledging that our sinfulness extends beyond what we consciously know or admit. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of continual dependence on God, regularly inviting Him to search our hearts and reveal any "secret faults" that might hinder our walk with Him. This is not meant to foster a spirit of morbid introspection but rather a healthy recognition of our need for God's ongoing sanctifying work. True spiritual growth involves not only confessing known sins but also humbly praying for cleansing from those hidden areas that only God can perceive and purify. It reminds us that our pursuit of holiness is a lifelong journey, empowered by divine grace, leading to a more authentic and intimate relationship with our perfectly holy God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does contemplating God's perfection (in creation and His Word) lead you to a deeper awareness of your own imperfections?**
* **What might "secret faults" look like in your own life, and how can you invite God to reveal and cleanse them?**
* **How does this verse challenge a superficial understanding of sin or self-righteousness?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a spirit of humility and dependence on God for ongoing purification?**

### FAQ
**What are "secret faults" in Psalms 19:12?**

Answer: "Secret faults" (Hebrew: נִסְתָּרוֹת, _nistārôt_) refer to sins that are hidden or concealed. This can mean sins hidden from other people, but more profoundly, it refers to sins that are hidden even from the individual's own awareness. These are not necessarily deliberate acts of rebellion but can include unintentional mistakes, deeply ingrained habits, unconscious biases, subtle attitudes, or patterns of thought that are contrary to God's holy character. The psalmist recognizes that human self-knowledge is limited and that the pervasive nature of sin means it can operate below the surface of our consciousness, requiring divine revelation and cleansing. This concept is echoed in other scriptures that speak of the [deceitfulness of the human heart](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitful Heart").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 19:12 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the perfect revelation of God's glory and the embodiment of His perfect law. While the psalmist laments his inability to understand his own errors and pleads for cleansing from secret faults, Jesus Christ lived a life entirely free from sin, both known and unknown, intentional and unintentional. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the full weight of humanity's sin—including those hidden and unconscious transgressions—on the cross. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ provides the complete and perfect cleansing that the psalmist yearns for. The believer, united with Christ, is not only forgiven of known sins but is also progressively sanctified by the Holy Spirit, who illuminates the heart and reveals areas needing purification. As [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Open to God") declares, "nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight," and it is through Christ that we can approach God's throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need, enabling us to walk in the purity that the psalmist longed for, a purity made possible by the [blood of Jesus Christ](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Jesus' Blood").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 90:8

Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret [sins] in the light of thy countenance.

Job 6:24

Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Psalms 139:23

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Psalms 139:24

And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalms 40:12

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.

1 Corinthians 4:4

For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.