Psalms 65:3

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 65:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Iniquities prevail against me: As for our transgressions, thou wilt forgive them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Iniquities prevail against me: As for our transgressions, thou wilt forgive them.
Psalms 65:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 65

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3Iniquities prevail against me: As for our transgressions, thou wilt forgive them.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Iniquities prevail against me, etc.] Or, “are mightier than I” f852; this may be understood either of the iniquities of others, his enemies; their “words of iniquities” f853 or iniquitous words, as in the Hebrew text; their calumnies, reproaches, false charges, and accusations, which prevailed against David in Saul’s court; or rather his own iniquities, inward lusts, indwelling sins, as well as open transgressions, which he considers as his enemies, as numerous and powerful, too mighty for him, which warred against him, and sometimes got the better of him, and threatened him with utter ruin and destruction; but amidst all this he spies atonement and pardon through the blood and sacrifice of…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“God's mercy alone delivers us from the burden of iniquities, by purging or expiating by an atonement the transgressions with which we are charged, and which are denoted by-- Iniquities--or, literally, "Words of iniquities."”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Iniquities prevail against me - Margin, as in Hebrew, Words, or matters of iniquities. The literal meaning is words; and the idea may be that words spoken in iniquity, or slanderous words spoken by others, prevailed against him. The phrase, however, is susceptible of the interpretation which refers it to iniquity itself; meaning the matter of iniquity - the thing - iniquity itself - as if that overcame him, or got the mastery of him. The psalmist here, in his own name, seems to represent the people who thus approached God, for the psalm refers to the worship of an assembly or a congregation. The idea is, that when they thus came before God; when they had prepared all things for his praise…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“65:3 you forgive: God graciously removes the guilt of sin (see 32:5).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Iniquities: Heb. Words, or Matters, of Iniquities prevail: Psa 38:4, Psa 40:12; Sa2 12:7-13; Mic 7:8, Mic 7:9; Rom 7:23-25; Gal 5:17 transgressions: Psa 51:2, Psa 51:3, Psa 51:7, Psa 79:9; Isa 1:18, Isa 1:19, Isa 6:7; Zac 13:1; Joh 1:29; Heb 9:14; Jo1 1:7-9; Rev 1:5 Psalms 65:4”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification