Rashi on TanakhPsalms 51

and my sin is always before me Since I regret [my sin] and worry about it, it is as though it is constantly before me, always.

Against You alone have I sinned Therefore, it is in Your power to forgive [me]. Even in my sin against Uriah, I sinned against You, for You warned against the matter.

in order that You be justified in Your conduct like במנהגך, in Your conduct. I had the strength to overpower my evil inclination, but, so that they should not say, “The servant overpowered his master,”for I said to You (Ps. 26: 2), “Test me, O Lord, and try me,” and You tested me and I was not found perfect, in order that You should be justified and not I (Sanh. 107a). Another explanation: in order that You be justified in Your conduct If You forgive me, You will be justified in Your judgment against all the wicked who do not repent, so that they will not be able to say, “If we had repented, it would not have availed us.”

Behold, with iniquity I was formed Now how could I not sin when the main part of my creation was through coitus, the source of many iniquities? Another explanation: The main part of my creation is from a male and a female, both of whom are full of iniquity. There are many midrashim to this verse, but they do not fit the context of the psalm.

conceived me Heb. יחמתני, an expression of heat, as (Gen. 30:38): “And they came into heat (ויחמנה) when they came to drink.”

Behold, You desired that truth be in the hidden places and behold, I confess to the truth, that I sinned.

in the hidden places Heb. בטחות. These are the reins, which are smooth. Menachem (p. 97), however, associated it with (Gen. 21:16): “as it were a bowshot (כמטחוי קשת)”; and so (Job 38: 36): “Who placed wisdom in the inward parts (בטחות).” And their interpretation is an expression of drawing, for just as a bow is drawn, so is their yearning for knowledge.

and in the concealed part You teach me wisdom And in the heart, which is concealed, You have taught me wisdom to confess.

Purify me with a hyssop As one purifies the “mezora” and the one who became unclean through contact with a corpse.

Make me hear joy and gladness The forgiveness of the sin.

the bones that You crushed when You were wroth with me.

Create for me a pure heart, O God so that I do not stumble again.

and do not take Your holy spirit from me that the holy spirit should not be withdrawn from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation The holy spirit, which has left me.

noble Heb. נדיבה, an expression of nobility and leadership.

I will teach transgressors Your ways and they will learn from me. They will repent if they see that You forgive me.

Save me from blood that I should not die by the sword as a punishment for Uriah, whom I killed.

O Lord, You shall open my lips Forgive me so that I will be able to open my lips to recite Your praise.

For You do not wish a sacrifice Because a sacrifice of a sin offering is not brought for a willful transgression.

or I should give it For if You desired it, I would give it to You.

do good to build Your Temple in its midst in the days of my son, Solomon.