In (Psalm 51) we see a classic case of one man’s (king David) repentance for sin and God’s forgiveness. The occasion for David’s writing this psalm was when he was confronted by Nathan the prophet about his sin of having an affair with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah, her husband. David, for a while, refused to acknowledge his sin, but when confronted by Nathan he finally recognized how horrible his sin against God was, blamed no one but himself, and cried out for divine forgiveness.
As one reads this psalm it’s hard not to recognize that David, because of his previous impenitent state, was suffering greatly both mentally with guilt and physically. It was only when he was truly humbled and broken under the weight of his sin that forgiveness and restoration took place. As I re-read this psalm the thing that struck me the most is David’s humble spirit and broken heart when he finally realized the greatness of his sin against God.
I pray that reading this psalm (below) will show you how important humility is in all situations, but especially when we have sinned against our precious heavenly Father. God will always be there to forgive us when we humbly confess our sins and repent of them.
Psalm 51 – King James Version
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
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.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
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.