Psalm 51:7

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Psalm 51:7 tn The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.
2. Psalm 51:7 sn “Hyssop” was a small plant (see 1 Kgs 4:33) used to apply water or blood in purification rites (see Exod 12:22; Lev 14:4-6, 49-52; Num 19:6-18). The psalmist uses the language and imagery of such rites to describe spiritual cleansing through forgiveness.
3. Psalm 51:7 tn After the preceding imperfect, the imperfect with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates result.
4. Psalm 51:7 tn The imperfect verbal form is used here to express the psalmist’s wish or request.
5. Psalm 51:7 sn I will be whiter than snow. Whiteness here symbolizes the moral purity resulting from forgiveness (see Isa 1:18).