*Psalm 51:1-19
King David expresses remorse for his adultery and pleads for God’s forgiveness and cleansing.
- Confession of Sin:
- The psalmist, traditionally believed to be King David, begins by acknowledging his sin and transgression before God, pleading for His mercy and forgiveness.
- He appeals to God’s steadfast love and abundant mercy, asking Him to blot out his transgressions and cleanse him from his iniquity.
- Recognition of Guilt:
- The psalmist expresses awareness of his sinfulness, confessing that his transgressions are always before him and acknowledging the magnitude of his wrongdoing.
- He admits that he has sinned against God alone and done what is evil in His sight, recognizing the seriousness of his offenses.
- Desire for Renewal:
- The psalmist appeals to God to create in him a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within him, seeking inner transformation and spiritual renewal.
- He asks God not to cast him away from His presence or take His Holy Spirit from him, recognizing the need for God’s continual presence and guidance in his life.
- Request for Restoration:
- The psalmist pleads for the joy of God’s salvation to be restored to him and for a willing spirit to sustain him, expressing a desire to be restored to fellowship and communion with God.
- He promises to teach transgressors God’s ways and to praise Him with a willing heart, acknowledging that God desires a broken and contrite spirit rather than external sacrifices.
51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.