Is Psalm 51:5 A Proof Text

[Cure of Ars]

Is the following a proof text for original sin?

[quote]Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psalm 51:5 Revised Standard version)[/quote]

The problem is that other versions of the Bible do not translate the passage in a way that would readily suggest original sin.

[quote]For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. (Psalm 50:5 Douay-Rheims Bible)[/quote]

[quote]For I know my offense; my sin is always before me. (Psalm 51:5  New American Bible)[/quote]


Is the sin reffered to in the first quote the mother’s sin or the babies original sin?

[StColette]

ScriptureCatholic.com lists Psalm 51:5 as being a referrence to original sin.


Psalm 51:5 - "I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."

We have inherited Adam's sin from the moment of our conception.

I've also checked with the Jerome Bible Online Commentary and it says the Psalm 51:5 refers to Original Sin as well.

hmm and the referrence to the Douay Rhiems Version saying

[quote]For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. (Psalm 50:5 Douay-Rheims Bible)[/quote]


my Douay Rhiems says

[quote]Ps:51:5:
5  (50-7) For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me. (DRV)[/quote]

And about the NAB Bible saying

[quote]For I know my offense; my sin is always before me. (Psalm 51:5  New American Bible)[/quote]

Mine says the same but if you read Psalm 51:7 it says

Psalm 51:7
True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother coneived me. ( NAB )

Footnotes says

51:[7] A sinner, even as my mother conceived me: literally, "In iniquity was I conceived," an instance of hyperbole: at no time was the psalmist ever without sin. Cf Psalm 88:15, "I am mortally afflicted since youth," i.e., I have always been afflicted. The verse does not imply that the sexual act of conception is sinful.

Hope this is of some help.

God Bless,
Jennie

[phatcatholic]

here's what Augustine has to say in his Exposition on the Psalms in reference to "True, i was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me" (vs. 7 in the NAB, but the numbering varies in different translations. in Augustine's work, it is vs. 6):[list]
[*]10. "For, behold, in iniquities I was conceived" (ver. 6). As though he were saying, They are conquered that have done what thou, David, hast done: for this is not a little evil and little sin, to wit, adultery and man-slaying. What of them that from the day that they were born of their mother's womb, have done no such thing? even to them dost thou ascribe some sins, in order that He may conquer all men when He beginneth to be judged. David hath taken upon him the person of mankind, and hath heeded the bonds of all men, hath considered the offspring of death, hath adverted to the origin of iniquity, and he saith, "For, behold, in iniquities I was conceived." Was David born of adultery; being born of Jesse, a righteous man, and his own wife? [b]What is it that he saith himself to have been in iniquity conceived, except that iniquity is drawn from Adam?[/b] Even the very bond of death, with iniquity itself is engrained? No man is born without bringing punishment, bringing desert of punishment. A Prophet saith also in another placer "No one is clean in Thy sight, not even an infant, whose life is of one day upon earth." For we know both by the Baptism of Christ that sins are loosed, and that the Baptism of Christ availeth the remission of sins. [b]If infants are every way innocent, why do mothers run with them when sick to the Church?[/b] What by that Baptism, what by that remission is put away? An innocent one I see that rather weeps than is angry. What doth Baptism wash off? what doth that Grace loose? There is loosed the offspring of sin. For if that infant could speak to thee, it would say, and if it had the understanding which David had, it would answer thee, Why heedest thou me, an infant? Thou dost not indeed see my actions: but I in iniquity have been conceived, "And in sins hath my mother nourished me in the womb."
[/list]we see here that Augustine supports the interpretation of this verse as one in reference to original sin.

pax christi,
phatcatholic

[Cure of Ars]

[quote name='StColette' date='Aug 14 2004, 02:55 PM'] ScriptureCatholic.com lists Psalm 51:5 as being a referrence to original sin.


Psalm 51:5 - "I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."

We have inherited Adam's sin from the moment of our conception.

I've also checked with the Jerome Bible Online Commentary and it says the Psalm 51:5 refers to Original Sin as well.

hmm and the referrence to the Douay Rhiems Version saying




my Douay Rhiems says



And about the NAB Bible saying



Mine says the same but if you read Psalm 51:7 it says

Psalm 51:7
True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother coneived me. ( NAB )

Footnotes says

51:[7] A sinner, even as my mother conceived me: literally, "In iniquity was I conceived," an instance of hyperbole: at no time was the psalmist ever without sin. Cf Psalm 88:15, "I am mortally afflicted since youth," i.e., I have always been afflicted. The verse does not imply that the sexual act of conception is sinful.

Hope this is of some help.

God Bless,
Jennie [/quote]
Thanks that helped a lot. I was very confused about the numbering of the passage as you can tell.

[StColette]

yw Cures I know what you mean the numbering in the NAB is off a tad bit compared to the DRV so it can be kinda confusing I've come across this same problem myself.