Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit— with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.
Psalms 51:1-19 NLT
King David made a HUGE mistake. He had committed adultery, sleeping with a married woman. He initially tried to cover up his mistake, but when he was confronted with his sin (by the prophet Nathan), he repented. He wrote this psalm to remember his sin and God’s mercy. He no longer wanted to cover up his mistakes; he wanted to point people to God’s forgiveness. What do you need to confess to God?
When God forgives, you are CLEAN. You don’t earn His forgiveness; you accept it. Many people struggle with grace, believing they must earn forgiveness. This only leads to more guilt because you can never measure up. God has unfailing love (v.1), He purifies sin (vv.2, 7), creates a clean heart (v.10), and restores joy (v.12).
Through Jesus, do you see yourself as forgiven and clean? Take some time to reflect on this today
