"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
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.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place."
Psalm 51:1-6
This is a prayer of weeping repentance. Written by King David, he prayed on his knees before God knowing the deep offense of his sin. Even so, he hoped to appeal to God’s great mercy, and this is our hope as well whenever we pray the same.
God is just and His verdict is right, however, He is also merciful, and He will forgive the heart that sincerely asks for pardon. Whenever we stumble in sin, let us heed King David’s example and humble ourselves before God, that we, too, might find grace in His mercy, love, compassion, and forgiveness.
