Psalms 51:1 - The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann

Have mercy upon me, O God, a confession of utter unworthiness and a cry of faith clinging to God as the only Hope of salvation, according to Thy Loving-kindness, for He forgives sins only for His own sake, not for any merit in us; according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions, God's grace and mercy alone being able to cleanse the believer from the greatness of his wickedness, in this case adultery, murder, and a year of hard-hearted refusal to acknowledge the transgression.