Augustine of Hippo

"Deliver me from all my transgressions" [Psalm 39:8]. I have "over-leaped" a great deal of ground, a very great deal of ground already; but, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us." I have "over-leaped" a great deal: but still do I "beat my breast," and say, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Thou therefore art "my expectation!" my "End." For "Christ is the end of the Law unto righteousness, unto every man that believeth." From all mine offences: not only from those, that I …

Exposition on Psalm 39 ↗

Ambrose of Milan

It is not merely one lapse that he is confessing, for he prays to be forgiven all his iniquities. He knows that without God's forgiveness no one can be saved. For we were born in sin. We have inherited a stain. Our human condition has a congenital tendency to sin.

Commentaries on the Twelve Davidic Psalms ↗

Thomas Aquinas

"From all." Above, the Psalmist set forth the confidence he had in God when he said, "And now, what is my expectation," etc.; here, however, he sets before God his petition. And concerning this he does three things. First he asks God for the removal of guilt. Second he asks for the removal of punishment. Third he assigns the reason for the conjunction of these petitions. The second, at "Remove." The third, at "On account of iniquity." Concerning the first he does two things. First he makes his petition. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗