Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Nathan's rebuke roused David from a spiritual torpor into which he had sunk for a long time. Seeing the magnitude of his guilt, he turns to God's infinite mercy as his only ground for hope, knowing he deserves multiplied condemnation and might justly be cast off forever.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 51:1-19
Hide thy face from my sins. Do not look at them; be at pains not to see them. They thrust themselves in the way; but, Lord, refuse to behold them, lest if thou consider them, thine anger burn, and I die. Blot out all mine iniquities.
Hyssop sprinkled water on the unclean to restore them. David prays the blood of Christ, applied by living faith, would cleanse him as surely as that ceremony cleansed the leper. If washed in that fountain, he shall be whiter than snow, not merely acquitted but accepted.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 51:7-13