What does Psalms 51:7 Mean?

Study Notes

Hyssop
Hyssop was the little shrub 1 Kings 4:33 with which the blood and water of purification were applied.; Leviticus 14:1-7 ; Numbers 19:1-19 . Cleansing in Scripture is twofold:

(1) Of a sinner from the guilt of sin; the blood ("hyssop") aspect;

(2) of a saint from the defilement of sin--the water ("wash me") aspect;

(3) Under grace the sinner is purged by blood when he believes Matthew 26:28 ; Hebrews 1:3 ; Hebrews 9:12 ; Hebrews 10:14 . Both aspects of cleansing, by blood and by water, are brought out in; John 13:10 ; Ephesians 5:25 ; Ephesians 5:26 .

"He that is bathed needeth not save to wash his feet"; "Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it redemption by "blood, "hyssop," the "bath"] that He might sanctify and cleanse "it with the washing by the word": answering to the "wash me" of Psalms 51:7 .

Verse Meaning

Again David pleaded for purification and cleansing ( Psalm 51:1-2). In Israel, the priest sprinkled animal blood on the altar with a hyssop branch. This ritual symbolized cleansing by sacrificial death (cf. Hebrews 9:22). If God would wash David morally, he would be thoroughly clean. [source][source]

[source]

"Cleansing in Scripture is twofold: (1) of a sinner from the guilt of sin-the blood (hyssop) aspect; and (2) of a saint from the defilement of sin-the water (wash) aspect. Under grace the sinner is purged by blood when he believes ( Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 10:14). Both aspects of cleansing, by blood and by water, are brought out in John 13:10; Ephesians 5:25-26 ..." ^[1] [source]

Context Summary

This psalm is a ladder which climbs from the horrible pit, with its miry clay, into the heights of sunny joy, where the song breaks from the forgiven penitent. Here is the cry of the lost sheep which has been torn by briers, harried by wild dogs, drenched in the morass, but which the shepherd has found and brought home rejoicing. This path has been worn by myriads of penitents. Psalms 51:17 was written on the wall of St. Augustine's cell.

There is no doubt as to the occasion or the authorship of this psalm. It abounds in references to 2 Samuel 11:1-27; 2 Samuel 12:1-31. It is remarkable that such a confession should have been handed to the chief musician; but the publicity thus given has made it a means of grace to myriads. Note the epithets for sin: transgression, "the violation of law;" iniquity, "crookedness from the straight line of rectitude;" sin, "missing the mark." However much God longs to forgive, He cannot, until confession is made. We must acknowledge our lapse from virtue! Blot out, as from a record; wash, as foul stains from linen; cleanse, as a leper by the touch of Christ. Our only plea is the multitude of God's tender mercies. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 51

¹  David prays for remission of sins, whereof he makes a deep confession
⁶  He prays for sanctification
¹⁶  God delights not in sacrifice, but in sincerity
¹⁸  He prays for the church