Psalm 51 (50):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

From the very outset, it is declared that sin has tainted my essence. Even the advent of Eve was preceded by the disobedience to the divine command. It was only after the fall and subsequent banishment from Eden that Adam came to know Eve, his spouse: she conceived and bore Cain. Hence, the prophet intends to convey that sin, having taken hold of our forebears, traversed through the generations that followed. This illustrates that the consequences of sin are not merely physical; were this the case, we would escape punishment. Rather, human nature is marred by a proclivity to yield to the sway of passions; nevertheless, the intellect can prevail through diligent effort.

God's original purpose was for humanity to be conceived free from sin, not through marital union and corruption. However, due to Adam's violation of God's command, marriage was introduced as a consequence of his wrongdoing. Consequently, all descendants of Adam inherit this sinful nature, bearing the weight of the first man's sin. The phrase, "My mother conceived me in sin," indicates that Eve, our shared mother, was the first to give birth to sin through her desire for pleasure. Thus, it is rightly said that we, who inherit the judgment of our mother, are likewise born in sin. David illustrates the fall of humanity, tracing it back to Eve’s disobedience, which resulted in birth being subjected to the curse. He references early times to emphasize the significance of God’s gift.

Who can claim that their heart is unblemished and pure? Who can confidently assert that they are free from transgressions? Within us lies a tendency reminiscent of Adam's sin, which is why David proclaimed, “Behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and in sins my mother brought me forth.” Similarly, blessed Job remarked, “If I am in the right, my own mouth will condemn me; if I am blameless, He will prove me perverse... Even if I wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands to perfection, yet You will plunge me into the pit, and my garments will detest me” (Job 9:20, 30-31).

From ancient times, the prophet indicates that sin took root in our nature, for even before Eve's conception, the breach of God's command had already occurred. After the fall and the delivery of God’s judgment, Adam knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain (Genesis 4:1). The prophet thus illustrates that sin, having triumphed over our ancestors, has persisted through the generations. Paul the Apostle further clarifies this by stating: By one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned (Rom. 5:12). Likewise, the Creator of all spoke to the honorable Noah, declaring: 'The intention of man's heart is evil from his youth all the days of his life' (Genesis 8:21).

What is the significance of the phrase, “In iniquity I was conceived, and in sins my mother conceived me” (Psalm 50:7: LXX)? God’s initial design was for humanity to enter the world free from marriage and decay. However, due to the transgression of the divine commandment by Adam, who sinned by disregarding God's law, all his descendants are born in sin and come under the curse of their forebear. The phrase, “and in sins my mother conceived me,” indicates that Eve, the progenitor of all, was the first to give birth to sin, driven by an intense desire for pleasures. Consequently, we, too, acknowledge that we are born under the weight of this sin, inheriting the transgressions of our mother.

To appeal to the Lord's mercy and compassion, David reflects on the circumstances of his conception. Had Adam not transgressed, there would have been no necessity for him to unite with Eve in a physical manner. Sin led to this union, resulting in the birth of descendants from Adam and Eve, continuing onward, ultimately reaching David. While marriages are regarded as sacred before the Lord for the purpose of procreation, they fundamentally stem from the origins of sin. Consequently, David acknowledges that he, too, was conceived and born in sin. In this context, Simmachus chose to replace the term begotten with conceived. Given this understanding, it is not unexpected that David himself fell into sin, seemingly compelled by the dictates of nature.

Have you not come across the words of the sacred David, who expressed our fallen nature, saying, ‘Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me’?

Consider the significance of the phrase, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Through these words, we seek to implore God for mercy, acknowledging our inherent inclination towards sinfulness.

The fourth reason he articulates arises from original sin, which has been passed down to us through natural birth. This has rendered us weak and susceptible to all manner of sin, leading to our state of regret. However, David does not excuse himself by citing the corruption inherent in his nature, as many hypocrites often do, using this as a façade to hide their wrongdoing. They might say, 'We have sinned and acknowledge it; but what can we do? We are merely human and predisposed to wrongdoing; sin is part of our nature, and we cannot resist our tendencies.' In contrast, David did not seek such justifications to evade God's judgment.

The Psalmist expresses in his penitential psalm: Behold, I was conceived in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me (Psalm 50:7). The king-prophet's personal transgressions cannot solely explain this statement, as he suggests that he was conceived and born in sin; this implies that such sin was part of his nature from a time before he had any personal actions. It is also not appropriate to interpret David's parents' actions as having resulted in an unlawful conception, for it is known that David was not born from wrongdoing—his father Jesse lived righteously, and his mother was his lawful wife.

Consider that I was brought forth in sin. David persistently appeals to the Lord for mercy and purification, acknowledging that he entered the world with a sinful nature, predisposed to wrongdoing. This acknowledgment may, in some way, lessen David's culpability or provide grounds for seeking the Lord's grace. The Church Fathers collectively interpret this as a reference to original sin, which is inherited from Adam by all his offspring through the act of conception. St. Athanasius, Blessed Theodoret, and John Chrysostom.

Ultimately, throughout all ages, this psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and attributed to David, serves as a symbol of contrition for every individual who sins, as through repentance one can avoid the harshness of divine judgment. Additionally, this psalm carries a prophecy regarding the Incarnation of Christ, the Redeemer of sinners, for whom the prophet, yearning for His presence, implores, “Give me the joy of Thy salvation.” God's original design was for humanity to be conceived without the influence of marriage or corruption. However, the disobedience of Adam and Eve introduced a marital state, resulting in all descendants of Adam being born into sin. The prophet does not condemn marriage itself; rather, he reveals the transgressions of our forebears.