Psalm 51:1
51:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the
     prophet {a} came unto him, after he had gone in to
     Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, {b} according to
     thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy
     tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

     (a) To reprove him, because he had committed horrible sins,
         and lain in the same without repentance more then a
         whole year.
     (b) As his sins were many and great, so he requires that
         God would give him the feeling of his excellent and
         abundant mercies.

Psalm 51:2
51:2 Wash me {c} throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me
     from my sin.

     (c) My sins strike so fast in me, that I have need of some
         singular kind of washing.

Psalm 51:3
51:3 For I {d} acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is]
     ever before me.

     (d) My conscience accuses me so, that I can have no rest
         till I am reconciled.

Psalm 51:4
51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this]
     evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when
     thou {e} speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest.

     (e) When you give sentence against sinners, they must
         confess you to be just, and themselves sinners.

Psalm 51:6
51:6 Behold, thou {f} desirest truth in the inward parts: and in
     the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

     (f) He confesses that God who loves pureness of heart, may
         justly destroy man, who by nature is a sinner much more
         him whom he had instructed in his heavenly wisdom.

Psalm 51:8
51:8 Make me to hear {g} joy and gladness; [that] the {h} bones
     [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.

     (g) He means God's comfortable mercies toward repentant
         sinners.
     (h) By the bones he understands all strength of soul and
         body, which by cares and mourning are consumed.

Psalm 51:10
51:10 {i} Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right
      spirit within me.

      (i) He confesses that when God's Spirit is cold in us, to
          have it again revived, is as a new creation.

Psalm 51:12
51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me
      [with thy] {k} free spirit.

      (k) Which may assure me that I am drawn out of the slavery
          of sin.

Psalm 51:13
51:13 [Then] will I teach transgressors thy {l} ways; and
      sinners shall be converted unto thee.

      (l) He promises to endeavour that others by his example may
          turn to God.

Psalm 51:14
51:14 Deliver me from {m} bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my
      salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy
      righteousness.

      (m) From the murder of Uriah and the others who were slain
          with him, 2 Samuel 11:17.

Psalm 51:15
51:15 O Lord, {n} open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew
      forth thy praise.

      (n) By giving me opportunity to praise you, when you will
          forgive my sins.

Psalm 51:17
51:17 The sacrifices of God [are] a {o} broken spirit: a broken
      and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

      (o) Which is a wounding of the heart, proceeding from
          faith, which seeks God for mercy.

Psalm 51:18
51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto {p} Zion: build thou the
      walls of Jerusalem.

      (p) He prays for the whole Church, because through his sin
          it was in danger of God's judgment.

Psalm 51:19
51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of {q}
      righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt
      offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

      (q) That is, just and lawful, applied to the right end,
          which is the exercise of faith and repentance.