Does Psalm 51:5 teach that man is born in sin?

    It is unfortunate that in some translations of the Bible this Calvanistic idea is taught.  It is clearly extra-Biblical, and therefore wrong.  Notice two such translations:

    Now notice how another version, the King James Version, has translated this verse:  “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”  You see a great difference there.  Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that since the King James Version differs from the others that they must be wrong, what I am saying is that this idea that David was born a sinner is contrary to other Bible passages.  If that is the case, then we turn to the KJV rendering of the verse because it does not contain such inaccuracy.
    How do we know that the above translations violate other Bible teachings?  Consider Ezekiel 18:20a, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”  Notice also verse 30, “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.”  What is taught in these verses?  Personal responsibility!  I could be the son of the greatest sinner ever, but that would not make me guilty of his sins.
    Furthermore, if children inherit the sins of their parents, why would Christ urge that people become sinners to be saved?  Matthew 18:3 reads, “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”  Just a side note, if children are born sinners, then they are lost until they reach the age where they can believe, for an active faith is a necessary part of salvation.  How many three-year-olds know what God expects of them?  How many five-year-olds are prepared to yield their lives to Christ?  It is ludicrous to think that these children are held accountable for the sins of others before they even know the difference between right and wrong.
    Let’s try to get a hold then on what David is referring to.  Take time to read Deuteronomy 23:1,2.  Now consider this:  The effects of the sins (not being allowed entry “into the congregation of the Lord”), not the sins themselves, are carried down from generation to generation, but only to the tenth generation, and only among those who are born illegitimately.  Now this:  Genesis 38 teaches of the sin of Tamar with her father-in-law, Judah.  Through this relationship came two sons:  Pharez and Zarah.  Looking at the genealogies in Ruth 4 and Matthew 1 you see that this was ten generations before the birth of David.  According to Deuteronomy 23 David could say, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”