Psalm 51 is the perfect example of a sinner’s confession. If the appointed king David, confessed is wrong to God, then are we not required as believers to do the same? It shouldn’t be a tragic moment of despair to drop at Jesus’ feet. The Cross is always there to receive us. A repentant heart is more pleasing to God than sacrifices and work. King David knew he could rely on God’s mercy and steadfast love to cleanse him from all his sins. Open your Bible to Psalm 51 and pray over it.
Abundant Mercy (v.1-2)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
You are the God of mercy and steadfast love. Only through your son, Jesus Christ, can my iniquities be forgiven. Let me delight in such a blessing, knowing that your love washed away my most significant sins. One of disbelief. Nothing is impossible for You, for you are the God who keeps ALL his promises. Let me hold tight to your righteousness, clinging with the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2).
Delight in the Truth (v.3-6)
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Through your word and others, I’ve learned of my transgressions. Against You, Father, I’ve sinned. Let me have a heart like king David and seek understanding and wisdom that it may be well with my soul. You dislike when I disobey your word and seek pleasure in other things that are not beneficial to my life and spiritual growth. At times, I felt childish, constantly stumbling in my steps, and needed a firm, loving hand to steady me. Oh, Father, judge me not so hard that I cannot bare it. Let my heart, mind, and soul improve daily in learning and living for the truth. Melt this delight of truth like sweet honey in my mouth.
Create a New Heart in Me
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Oh God, forgive me for all the wrongs that I’ve done at heart. Seeking earthly pleasures that are not good for my soul, mind, and spirit. The redeemer of my soul calls me back to the cross that my soul is well and keep my eyes set on Jesus. Holy Spirit, cast me not away from your presence but teach me wisdom and understanding of God’s Word. When my heart doesn’t abide in Him, blot out all my iniquities, renew my spirit and let me hear joy and gladness through Your word. I pray, Father, you create a new heart in me, purge all my imperfections, restore my joy, and uphold me in my trials.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4
Teach Others of God’s Salvation (v.13-17)
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
O Lord of my salvation, let my heart take courage and share your gospel. With thanksgiving, I will sing praises aloud of your righteousness. I called upon you, Jesus, with a humble heart and mind, for through your Word, I’m made whole. When I have a broken and contrite heart, heal me, for I can only rejoice and find peace in You.
Pleasing Sacrifices (v. 18-19)
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
In your promises, my rest comes. My King on the hill of Zion will return in all His glory. My comfort and hope in knowing I’m one of the daughters of the Almighty King of Zion. My lips shall praise your name while I await your return like a bride awaits her bridegroom. Meanwhile, let my soul, mind, and body live a godly life, holy and pure in You, that all may be well with me.
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