Psalm 51:1-13 (NIV)

1 Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

and justified when you judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7 Cleanse 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 Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

so that sinners will turn back to you.

Reflection:

Sin is an act or offense against God. The consequences of sin are painful - not only to ourselves, but to those around us and ultimately to God, driving us away from His presence. King David was no stranger to sin, with some very well known indiscretions (namely adultery and murder to cover up what he had done). But what we find here in Psalm 51 is the rawness and realness of King David coming before the Lord - not shying away, not sugar-coating what he has done; but honestly, perhaps even brutally to his own conscience and pride. We hear David’s prayer of utter brokenness as he confesses “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” We find here a model of how we are to deal with sin - facing it head on, confessing it, and receiving God’s forgiveness. King David teaches us the way to enter the kingdom, by engaging God with realness.

Responding to the Transmission:

Let’s think about how we have lived and, as God brings to mind how we have sinned against others and against God, let’s acknowledge and confess our sins. Let’s ask God to forgive us. Then, let’s pray as the psalmist prayed: God, create in me a pure heart that I may be faithful to you and live faithfully before you. God, give me a willing heart to obey you.