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 guilt and 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 sinned and done this evil in your sight. So you are right when you pass sentence; you are blameless when you judge. ~ Psalms 51:1-4
David wrote this Psalm at the time Nathan, the prophet, confronted him about sleeping with Bathsheba and then killing her husband, Uriah the Hittite. From the get-go David throws himself on the mercy of the LORD. He says, “Be gracious to me, God …” But David does not leave it there; he qualifies it. “…according to your faithful love.” Not just any love, but His faithful love. In other words, it is a steadfast love that lasts forever. David asks for forgiveness in accordance with God’s abundant compassion. Please blot out my rebellion and take away my sin is basically what he is writing.
God has a steadfast, everlasting, compassionate love that we can always depend on. No matter what we have done, when we come with a repentant heart, God will have compassion and forgive us. So, never doubt His love for you.
David wrote that because he knew and understood that God is kind and merciful and that His love has no limits and no end. That is what God wants from us. He wants us to forsake our rebellious ways. He wants us to turn from our sin and follow after Him. He will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
When we sin, it’s not against someone else; it’s against God, and David understood that as well. Against You and You alone, he writes. It is in your sight that I have done evil, LORD. David realizes that he does not have a leg to stand on, so he submits. He wants forgiveness.
It is not God’s will that any should perish but that all come to repentance so that we can all have eternal life. That is why Jesus came, and that’s why He died. Do not be intimidated or afraid; God will not leave you but will come to you, and He will come quickly. So, if you are away from God, do not fear, and do not doubt, God is for you and not against you.
Just say:
Father, forgive me, for I have sinned. Cleanse me and make me whole. Jesus, I accept You, and I will live for You, the one true King. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
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