Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God, Because of Your steadfast love, Because of Your compassion That comes from heaven above. Blot out all my transgressions, My iniquity within. Wash away all my disgrace And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions And my sin is before me. Against You and only You Have I sinned, a tragedy. I have done what is evil Now You can be proved right, And justified when You judge. My deeds are in Your sight. Surely sinful at my birth, But only truth You desire, Truth within my inner parts. You teach me wisdom, inspire. Cleanse me, O God, with hyssop And I will be clean within. Wash me and I will be white, Whiter than snow—no sin. Let me hear joy and gladness. Let bones You have crushed rejoice. Then hide Your face from my sins, Iniquity, not a choice. Create in me a pure heart. A steadfast spirit renew. Don’t cast me from Your presence Or your Spirit subdue. Restore to me salvation’s joy And a willing spirit grant me. Then I will teach sinners Your ways And back to You they’ll flee. Save me from bloodguilt, O God. My God will save and redeem. Now my tongue will always sing Of Your righteous esteem. Now, O Lord, open my lips. My mouth will declare Your praise. Sacrifices do not please, Nor offerings that I raise. I would bring all these to You But of those You want no part. Only a broken spirit And a repentant heart.
This psalm is King David’s plea to God for forgiveness of his sin concerning Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11-12) It is a heartfelt cry for an all-seeing God to have mercy on sinners. May we be willing to come to God with a broken and repentant heart, one that shows sincere remorse and a willingness to change.
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” (verse 12). Sin robs us of our joy. Our praises to God and the confession of our sins is a gift, and inside that gift is mercy, grace, love, forgiveness, and joy!
