OET interlinear PSA 51:7

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

תְּחַטְּאֵ֣⁠נִי בְ⁠אֵז֣וֹב וְ⁠אֶטְהָ֑ר

(Some words not found in UHB: if in,iniquity born and,in,sin she,conceived_me mother_of,my )

David is speaking as if he wanted God to perform the ceremony that the law of Moses describes in [Numbers 19:18](../num/19/18.md), in which a ceremonially clean person would dip a hyssop branch in water and sprinkle water with it to purify a person or place that had become ritually unclean. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. The UST models one way to do that.

Note 2 topic: translate-unknown

בְ⁠אֵז֣וֹב

(Some words not found in UHB: if in,iniquity born and,in,sin she,conceived_me mother_of,my )

The term hyssop describes a leafy plant, an herb that was common in Israel. Its large and numerous leaves made it ideal for use in sprinkling, especially in ceremonial contexts. If your language does not have a word for this plant, consider using a general expression. Alternate translation: [with leafy branches]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

תְּ֝כַבְּסֵ֗⁠נִי

(Some words not found in UHB: if in,iniquity born and,in,sin she,conceived_me mother_of,my )

As in verse 2, David is speaking of his sin as if it were dirt that God could wash off of him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the similar image in verse 2. Alternate translation: [May you take away my sin]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וּ⁠מִ⁠שֶּׁ֥לֶג אַלְבִּֽין

(Some words not found in UHB: if in,iniquity born and,in,sin she,conceived_me mother_of,my )

David is speaking as if he would become bright white in color if God were to wash him. He is using the uniform whiteness of newly fallen snow to represent complete purity. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [that I may be purer than snow]