Psalms 19:12
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
2 of 5
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יָבִ֑ין
Who can understand
H995
יָבִ֑ין
Who can understand
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
3 of 5
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
Cross References
Psalms 90:8Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.Job 6:24Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.Jeremiah 17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?Psalms 40:12For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.1 Corinthians 4:4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.1 John 1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.Psalms 139:6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.Hebrews 9:7But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:Isaiah 64:6But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.Psalms 51:2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Historical Context
Old Testament sacrificial system included offerings for unintentional sins, acknowledging that people sin in ways they don't recognize without divine revelation.
Questions for Reflection
- What practices help you discern sins you're blind to?
- How does acknowledging hidden faults increase dependence on Christ's righteousness?
Analysis & Commentary
David asks 'Who can discern his errors?' and prays to be declared innocent from 'hidden faults.' The Hebrew 'shegiah' (errors) are unintentional sins, while 'nistar' (hidden) are sins concealed from self-awareness. This demonstrates the depth of human sinfulness—we cannot fully know our own hearts (Jeremiah 17:9). Only God's word reveals hidden sin (Hebrews 4:12). This anticipates the need for Christ's perfect righteousness imputed to believers.