Psalm 51 (50):17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Sin had silenced him, shackling his ability to speak; now the prophet implores divine forgiveness to restore his former courage and inspire his tongue to offer praise. This text discusses the remainder of Psalm 50 and the theme of repentance. According to Wilmart, it is attributed to an anonymous author from the fourth century. By 422, it was included in the Latin collection of Blessed Augustine under the authorship of St. John Chrysostom. The text features elements derived from Blessed Theodoret of Cyrus and the ‘Greek’ St. Ephrem the Syrian, and its introduction mirrors the style found in Conversation 22 on Genesis.

I offer my praise to You for my creation; I give thanks for the assurance that sin has not led to my abandonment; I glorify You for guiding me to confess my transgressions; I honor You for the cleansing that allows me to attain salvation.

Sin often shackles speech, hinders expression, and imposes silence. Consequently, the prophet implores that, having been granted forgiveness for his transgressions, he may regain his former courage and find his voice in praise.

Inspired by the guidance of the prophetic Holy Spirit, I recognized, he states, that You would grant me the ability to once again exalt You, just as You allowed before my downfall—lips now bound in silence.

Previously, David sought forgiveness for his transgression; however, in this instance, he appeals for liberation from the judgment or retribution that the unjust blood of Uriah demands, and he vows to proclaim God’s righteousness. The term "blood" is used in the plural form, reflecting the nature of Hebrew, to denote a significant shedding of blood. Similarly, as noted in Genesis 4:10, it is stated, "The voice of thy brother's blood cries unto me from the earth,” where the Hebrew expresses "the voice of blood," indicating the cry of numerous spilled bloods. Thus, in this context, he pleads, "Deliver me from the blood," which refers to the outcry of Uriah's blood, unjustly shed by him, that calls out to You for justice.

Rescue me from the stain of blood. St. Athanasius notes that he raises another plea for liberation from the impurity that arose from Uriah’s murder, or more aptly, to be freed from the blood, which signifies the sacrificial offerings, as clarified in the following verses of the psalm. My tongue shall celebrate Your justice. Symmachus interpreted this as my tongue will proclaim Your grace. This means that I will proclaim my gratitude, having been granted forgiveness of my sins, and I will continue to sing praises to You, recounting Your mercies. Blessed Theodoret and Athanasius reference Hebrews 5:17, which states: Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Your glory.

Ultimately, throughout all generations, this psalm, divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit through David, serves as a poignant reminder of repentance for every sinner, highlighting that through repentance, one can be spared from the severity of God's judgment. Additionally, this psalm foreshadows the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of transgressors, who, in alignment with God's promise, yearns for His presence and implores, "Give me the joy of Thy salvation." God's original design intended for humanity to be born without the impurities of sin associated with marriage. However, the disobedience of Adam and Eve brought forth the institution of marriage, resulting in all descendants of Adam being conceived in sin.