David wrote Psalm 51 as a response to his deep remorse and repentance after his sin with Bathsheba, as recorded in 2 Samuel 11-12. In that story, David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, and then arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle to cover up the sin when Bathsheba became pregnant.
In this psalm, David acknowledges the gravity of his sin, recognizes that his wrongdoing ultimately was against God, and pleads for mercy. He asks for a clean heart, a renewed spirit, and the restoration of the joy of salvation. The psalm is also a reflection of the grace and mercy of God, highlighting that even though David had sinned greatly, God’s forgiveness is available to those who sincerely repent.
Psalm 51
A Prayer for Restoration
For the choir director. A psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba.
1 Be gracious to me, God,according to your faithful love;according to your abundant compassion,blot out my rebellion.
2 Completely wash away my guiltand cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I am conscious of my rebellion,and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you—you alone—I have sinnedand done this evil in your sight.So you are right when you pass sentence;you are blameless when you judge.
5 Indeed, I was guilty when I was born;I was sinful when my mother conceived me.
6 Surely you desire integrity in the inner self,and you teach me wisdom deep within.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Turn your face away from my sinsand blot out all my guilt.
10 God, create a clean heart for meand renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presenceor take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me,and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach the rebellious your ways,and sinners will return to you.
14 Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God—God of my salvation—and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Lord, open my lips,and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;you are not pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.
18 In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
HEAR:
In both Joel 2 and Psalm 51, we see a confrontation of sin. In Joel 2, we see the prophet Joel speak of the imminent disaster, a “day of darkness and gloom”, in which Joel calls on the people of God to return to the Lord. God responds to their repentance with passion for his land and pity for his people. In Psalm 51, which is David’s famous confession, he is ever conscious of his sin but asks the Lord to create a clean heart within him. On this Ash Wednesday, we reflect on our own sinfulness, turn towards repentance, and receive the forgiveness that God freely offers.
Take this time to listen to the Holy Spirit:
Allow the Holy Spirit to search you and know you. Where have you sinned and rebelled against God?
In what ways does your heart need to be broken and humbled? See that it is the poor in spirit who receive the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:3).
Reflect on your need for the Lord’s faithful love and abundant compassion.
RESPOND:
Respond to the Lord in prayer:
Open your lips, and let your mouth declare God’s praise – praise the God of our salvation and ask for a restored joy of salvation (vv.12, 14-15).
Confess any sin – see that when you confess your sins to God, he will freely forgive (Psalm 32). Pray for clean hands and a pure heart.
Pray that our city/region would know the joy of God’s salvation.
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