Psalms 51:5
What is written? (ESV)
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
What does it say?
Behold, I (David) was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
What is its immediate context?
A lament of David after Nathan confronted him in his sin with Bathsheba. David is tormented and repeatedly confesses his sin against God.
How Psalms 51:5 is applied across Bible answers
Is the doctrine of original sin taught in the Bible?
David says that he was born in sin (eg. "iniquity"). Taken on its own, he could be saying several things: (1) he was born into sin, (2) he was born into a world of sin, or that sin is all around.
The immediately preceding verses make it clear what David means when he writes vs 5. In verses 1-4 he writes, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight..." David is lamenting his own, personal sin and the fact that it's all around him.
