Psalms 65:3
Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
Original Language Analysis
דִּבְרֵ֣י
Iniquities
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֣י
Iniquities
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
1 of 7
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
גָּ֣בְרוּ
prevail
H1396
גָּ֣בְרוּ
prevail
Strong's:
H1396
Word #:
3 of 7
to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently
מֶ֑נִּי
H4480
מֶ֑נִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Psalms 38:4For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.Hebrews 9:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?Isaiah 6:7And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.Psalms 79:9Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.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.Revelation 1:5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,Zechariah 13:1In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.Galatians 5:17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.Psalms 51:7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.John 1:29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Historical Context
This acknowledges the reality of corporate and individual sin requiring atonement. The sacrificial system provided means of purging, pointing forward to Christ's once-for-all sacrifice that would truly remove sin.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that iniquities 'prevail' apart from grace prevent both presumption and despair?
- What does complete purging of transgressions mean in light of Christ's finished work?
Analysis & Commentary
The confession 'Iniquities prevail against me' acknowledges sin's overwhelming power apart from grace. Yet the pivot 'as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away' demonstrates covenant confidence in atonement. The Hebrew 'kipper' (purge/atone) is sacrificial language, anticipating Christ's definitive purging of sins (Hebrews 1:3).