*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.
Daily Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your mercy and love that never fail. We come to You with humble hearts, asking for Your forgiveness. Cleanse us from our sins and create in us a pure heart.
Help us to turn away from what is wrong and to follow You with a renewed spirit. Restore the joy of knowing You, and give us the strength to live in Your ways.
Teach us to share Your love and forgiveness with others, and let our lives bring glory to Your name.
Amen.
Psalm 51:1-19 (KJV)
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.