Psalms 51:2

KJV

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wash {H3526}{H8761)} me throughly {H7235}{H8685)} from mine iniquity {H5771}, and cleanse {H2891}{H8761)} me from my sin {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Wash me completely from my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin.

Berean Standard Bible

Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

American Standard Version

Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 51:2 is a fervent plea from a contrite heart, crying out for comprehensive divine purification from the defilement of sin. It expresses a profound awareness of personal guilt and the deep-seated nature of wrongdoing, acknowledging that only God possesses the power to thoroughly wash away iniquity and cleanse the soul from its stain, preparing the way for restoration and renewed fellowship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 51 stands as a quintessential penitential psalm, traditionally attributed to King David following his grievous sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, as detailed in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba") and his subsequent confrontation by the prophet Nathan in [2 Samuel 12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - Nathan's Rebuke of David"). This psalm is uniquely placed within the Psalter as a raw, honest confession, moving from an initial cry for mercy (v. 1) to a deep yearning for internal purification (v. 2), an acknowledgment of the pervasive nature of sin (v. 3-6), and a plea for restoration and joy (v. 7-12). It serves as a model for genuine repentance, demonstrating the necessary steps of confession, recognition of divine justice, and reliance on God's steadfast love for cleansing and renewal.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the aftermath of David's moral failure, a period of spiritual agony before his confession. In ancient Israel, sin was understood not merely as a transgression of law but as a defilement that rendered an individual ritually and morally unclean, separating them from God and the community. The Mosaic Law provided various rituals for purification (e.g., sacrifices, washing with water), but these were largely symbolic, pointing to a deeper spiritual cleansing. David's plea for God to "wash" and "cleanse" him echoes these ritual practices but elevates them to a spiritual plane, recognizing that only divine intervention could remove the deep-seated stain of his egregious acts. The language reflects an understanding that sin permeates the inner being, requiring a thorough, divine work beyond mere external rites.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several key themes that resonate throughout Psalm 51 and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **profound confession**, where David does not minimize his wrongdoing but expresses an intense, urgent need for thorough cleansing, underscoring the defiling nature of sin. The repeated emphasis on "washing" and "cleansing" points to the **absolute necessity of divine purification**, acknowledging that human effort alone is insufficient to remove sin's deep stain. Furthermore, David's use of distinct terms like "iniquity" and "sin" demonstrates a nuanced **understanding of sin**, encompassing both the perverted nature or guilt associated with wrongdoing (iniquity) and the specific acts of transgression (sin). Ultimately, the verse embodies a complete **reliance on God's sovereign power and mercy**, recognizing that only He can provide the complete and radical purification required for true spiritual restoration. This aligns with the broader biblical message that salvation and cleansing come from God alone, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - God's Promise of Cleansing") and [Ezekiel 36:25](/ekekiel/36-25 "Ezekiel 36:25 - God's Cleansing and New Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wash throughly (Hebrew, _kāḇas'_):** This verb typically describes the vigorous treading or beating of clothes to clean them, often used in the context of laundry or fulling. It implies an intensive, thorough, and even violent process of purification, not a gentle rinse. In a spiritual sense, it conveys the depth of cleansing David seeks – not just a superficial removal of guilt, but a radical, penetrating purification that reaches the deepest parts of his being, addressing the pervasive nature of his defilement.
* **Cleanse (Hebrew, _ṭāhēr'_):** This verb is frequently used in the Old Testament for ritual and moral purification, often associated with making something or someone ceremonially clean from defilement (e.g., from leprosy, childbirth, or contact with a dead body). It speaks to the restoration of a state of purity, making one fit to approach God and participate in worship. When paired with "wash throughly," it emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the desired purification: both the removal of the stain and the restoration to a state of holiness.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _‘āwōn'_):** This term often refers to the crookedness, perversity, or twistedness of sin, implying a deviation from the straight path of righteousness. It carries the connotation of guilt and the punishment due for wrongdoing. It can refer to the inherent bent towards sin, the moral distortion, or the guilt that results from transgression.
* **Sin (Hebrew, _ḥaṭṭā’āh'_):** This word literally means "missing the mark" or "falling short." It emphasizes specific acts of transgression, the failure to meet God's standards, or the violation of His commands. When paired with "iniquity," it highlights that David is seeking cleansing not only from the specific acts he committed but also from the underlying moral corruption or guilt that led to them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wash me throughly from mine iniquity":** This clause is an urgent and desperate cry for a profound, internal cleansing. The use of "wash throughly" (כָּבַס, _kāḇas'_) indicates a desire for a vigorous and complete removal of the deep-seated defilement of "iniquity" (עָוֹן, _‘āwōn'_). David recognizes that his sin is not merely an external act but a perversion of his inner being, a moral distortion that requires a radical divine intervention to be set right. He is asking God to scour away the very essence of his guilt and the twisted nature of his transgression.
* **"and cleanse me from my sin":** This second clause reinforces and expands upon the first, using a different but complementary verb for purification ("cleanse," טָהֵר, _ṭāhēr'_) and a distinct term for wrongdoing ("sin," חַטָּאָה, _ḥaṭṭā’āh'_). While "wash throughly" suggests the vigorous removal of defilement, "cleanse" points to the restoration of ritual and moral purity, making one fit for God's presence. "Sin" here refers more directly to the specific acts of transgression, the "missing of the mark." Together, the two clauses form a powerful synonymous parallelism, demonstrating David's comprehensive understanding of his need: he desires both the thorough eradication of the pervasive guilt and distortion of his iniquity, and the complete purification from the specific defiling acts of his sin.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 51:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the spiritual act of purification is vividly portrayed through the physical imagery of "washing" and "cleansing." These terms, drawn from the mundane acts of laundry and ritual purification, serve as powerful metaphors for the removal of moral and spiritual defilement. The intensity of "wash throughly" (implying vigorous scrubbing) underscores the deep-seated nature of sin and the radical divine intervention required. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Synonymous Parallelism**, a common feature in Hebrew poetry. The two clauses, "Wash me throughly from mine iniquity" and "and cleanse me from my sin," express essentially the same idea in different words, reinforcing the central plea for comprehensive purification. This repetition not only adds emphasis but also expands the scope of the request, encompassing both the inherent perversity of "iniquity" and the specific acts of "sin." The pairing of these terms also demonstrates **Merism**, where two contrasting or complementary parts (iniquity and sin) are used to represent the whole spectrum of wrongdoing, indicating a desire for total and absolute cleansing from every aspect of his transgression.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 51:2 stands as a foundational expression of humanity's need for divine cleansing, a theme central to biblical theology. It underscores the profound truth that sin is not merely a behavioral error but a deep spiritual defilement that permeates the human heart and separates us from a holy God. David's desperate plea acknowledges that no human effort or ritual can truly purify the soul; only God, in His sovereign mercy and power, can accomplish such a radical transformation. This verse foreshadows the New Testament understanding of sin's pervasive nature and the ultimate solution found in God's grace, emphasizing that genuine repentance involves not just regret for consequences but a deep desire for internal purification and restoration of fellowship with the divine. It highlights the biblical emphasis on God's character as both just and merciful, willing to cleanse those who humbly confess their sin.

* [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - Though Your Sins Are Like Scarlet")
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's raw and unfiltered plea in Psalms 51:2 offers a timeless model for our own approach to God in repentance. It reminds us that true confession goes beyond a superficial acknowledgment of wrongdoing; it involves a deep, honest recognition of sin's defiling power and our utter inability to cleanse ourselves. Like David, we are called to bring our "iniquity" – the twistedness of our nature, our inherent bent towards sin – and our "sin" – our specific transgressions – before God, trusting in His unique power to purify. This verse challenges us to move past mere guilt or regret to a genuine yearning for spiritual renewal, understanding that God desires to wash us "throughly" and "cleanse" us completely. It invites us to humbly cast ourselves upon His mercy, confident that He is faithful to forgive and restore, transforming our defiled hearts into vessels of purity and praise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the intensity of "wash me throughly" suggest about the nature of our sin and the depth of cleansing we need?**
* **How does understanding the difference between "iniquity" and "sin" deepen your appreciation for God's comprehensive work of purification?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need God to "wash throughly" and "cleanse" you today, beyond just forgiving specific acts?**

### FAQ
**Does Psalms 51:2 apply to Christians today, given that we are under grace and not law?**

Answer: Absolutely. While Christians are indeed under grace and have been declared righteous in Christ, Psalms 51:2 remains profoundly relevant. It speaks to the ongoing reality of sin in the believer's life and the continuous need for confession and purification. Even after conversion, believers still struggle with the lingering effects of sin (often referred to as the "flesh" or "old nature"). David's prayer for thorough cleansing from "iniquity" (the bent towards sin) and "sin" (specific acts) mirrors the Christian's daily need for God's grace to purify them from both the active presence of sin and its defiling influence. [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness") directly echoes this sentiment, assuring believers that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This verse reminds us that while our salvation is secure in Christ, our sanctification is an ongoing process that requires humble reliance on God's cleansing power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 51:2, with its desperate cry for divine washing and cleansing, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David's longing for a thorough purification from iniquity and sin points forward to the perfect and complete atonement offered by the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The Old Testament sacrificial system, which provided temporary and symbolic cleansing, always anticipated a greater, final sacrifice that could truly remove sin's stain. Christ, through His sinless life and sacrificial death on the cross, became that ultimate sacrifice, shedding His blood to cleanse us from all sin (as affirmed in [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). The "wash throughly" that David yearned for is realized in the spiritual regeneration and ongoing sanctification provided by the Holy Spirit, applying the cleansing power of Christ's blood to the believer's heart ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration and Renewal of the Holy Spirit")). Through faith in Him, we are not merely forgiven but truly purified, made righteous, and presented holy before God ([Colossians 1:22](/colossians/1-22 "Colossians 1:22 - Presented Holy and Blameless")). Thus, David's ancient prayer becomes a vibrant testament to the comprehensive and redemptive work of Christ, who alone can truly wash us clean from every iniquity and sin, making us new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")) and enabling us to stand blameless before a holy God.

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.