Psalms 51:3 (KJV)

Passage

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Nearby Context

Psalms 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Psalms 51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalms 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Psalms 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Psalms 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "transgressions", "acknowledge", "ever", and "before". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "transgressions" and "acknowledge", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 2's "Wash me throughly from mine iniquity and..." into verse 4's "Against thee thee only have I sinned...", so "transgressions" and "acknowledge" belong inside that flow. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "transgressions" and "acknowledge" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.