Psalm 51:3

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

Psalm 51:3 in Other Translations

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

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.

3 I know how bad I've been; my sins are staring me down.

3 For I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me.

3 I admit that I am rebellious. My sin is always in front of me.

3 For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.

3 I know the lawless acts I've committed. I can't forget my sin.

Psalm 51:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 51:3

For I acknowledge my transgressions
Before God and man. Acknowledgment of sin is what the Lord requires, and promises forgiveness upon, and therefore is used here as a plea for it; and moreover the psalmist had done so before, and had succeeded in this way, which must encourage him to take the same course again; see ( Psalms 32:5 ) ;

and my sin [is] ever before me;
staring him in the face; gnawing upon his conscience, and filling him with remorse and distress; so that his life was a burden to him: for though God had put away sin out of his own sight, so that he would not condemn him for it, and he should not die; notwithstanding as yet it was not caused to pass from David, or the guilt of it removed from his conscience.

Psalm 51:3 In-Context

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 59:12