Psalm 51:1-2 – “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.  2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”  NKJV

One of the reasons I love the Psalms is their directness and connectivity to the human heart.  This is recorded as possibly being written after Nathan the prophet went to David and confronted him over his sin with Bathsheba.  David did not hide from his sin for he knew that God knew, and the weight of his guilt came crashing down upon him.  He recognized that without Mercy he was doomed and therefore he cries out to God.

• Have MERCY upon me.

He does not attempt to justify his actions or blame anyone or anything else.  His simple request and plea were Mercy.

• According to God’s lovingkindness and mercy.

David understood that God was and is a loving God more willing to forgive than condemn when genuine repentance was offered.

• Forgive, Blot Out and Wash Me.

His prayer was forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration.

In the next verses, the Psalmist cried, “I acknowledge my transgression, and my sin is always before me.”  He further stated that his sin was, at its very foundation, a sin against God.  Yes, we sin toward others, but the root of our sin is missing the mark and in so doing we hurl darts into our Lord’s heart.  The Psalmist went further and reflected upon the depravity of man, not as a justification for sin but a realization of his humanity and that without God’s mercy and help he could not walk uprightly before God.

In verses 10-11 we find the powerful cry that we should all pray:  “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”

If that were not powerful enough in verses 12-13, he declares, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.  Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.”

He never asked for Justice.  We hear of that much today with everybody wanting justice.  David asked for Mercy.  I do not want what I deserve I want what the Mercy and Grace of God will afford. 

May God be with you as you live the beautiful day in Him!