Psalms 51 · Verse 3

Psalms 51:3

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Psalms 51:3, King James Version

Psalms 51:3 in other translations

BSBFor I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
WEBFor I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.
ASVFor I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me.
YLTFor my transgressions I do know, And my sin is before me continually.
DARBYFor I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is continually before me.
BBEFor I am conscious of my error; my sin is ever before me.
WebsterFor I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

What does Psalms 51:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 51:1-4

Psa 51:1-19. On the occasion, compare 2Sa 11:12. The Psalm illustrates true repentance, in which are comprised conviction, confession, sorrow, prayer for mercy, and purposes of amendment, and it is accompanied by a lively faith. 1-4. A plea for mercy is a confession of guilt. blot out--as from a register. transgressions--literally, "rebellions" (Psa 19:13; 32:1).

Read the full comment on Psalms 51:1-4 →

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions - I know, I feel, I confess that I have sinned. My sin is ever before me - A true, deep, and unsophisticated mark of a genuine penitent. Wherever he turns his face, he sees his sin, and through it the eye of an angry God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 51:1-6

Chapter Outline The psalmist prays for mercy, humbly confessing and lamenting his sins. (1-6) He pleads for pardon, that he may promote the glory of God and the conversion of sinners. (7-15) God is pleased with a contrite heart, A prayer for the prosperity of Zion. (16-19) Verses 1-6 David, being convinced of his sin, poured out his soul to God in prayer for mercy and grace. Whither should backsliding children…

Read the full comment on Psalms 51:1-6 →

Psalms 51:3 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

כִּֽי\־ki-forH3588
פְ֭שָׁעַיFe.sha.'aitransgressions myH6588
אֲנִ֣י'a.NiIH589
אֵדָ֑ע'e.Da'I knowH3045
וְחַטָּאתִ֖יve.cha.ta.Tiand sin myH2403
נֶגְדִּ֣יneg.Di[is] before meH5048
תָמִֽיד\׃ta.MidcontinuallyH8548

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 51:3

  • Proverbs 28:13

    He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

  • Isaiah 59:12

    For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;

  • Psalms 38:18

    For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.

  • Psalms 32:5

    I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

  • Luke 15:18-21

    I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

  • Leviticus 26:40-41

    If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:

  • Jeremiah 3:25

    We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.

  • Job 33:27

    He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

  • 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.

  • Nehemiah 9:2

    And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
For I.
32:5; 38:18; Le 26:40,41; Ne 9:2; Job 33:27; Pr 28:13; Lu 15:18-21
my sin.
40:12; Isa 59:12; Jer 3:25

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 51:2

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

  • Psalms 51:3

    For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

  • Psalms 51:4

    Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Read all of Psalms 51

Psalms 51:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Porque yo reconozco mis rebeliones; y mi pecado está siempre delante de mí.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Use de grâce envers moi, ô Dieu! selon ta bonté; selon la grandeur de tes compassions, efface mes transgressions.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Denn ich kenne meine Übertretungen, und meine Sünde ist beständig vor mir.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Quid gloriaris in malitia, qui potens es in iniquitate?