Psalm 51 is a renowned expression of repentance. David, the greatest of Israel’s kings, fell into serious sin and recognized his need to plead with God for forgiveness. This confession was inspired by David’s sins of adultery, deception, and even murder in his relationship with Bathsheba. Remembering the events described in 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12 are about King David’s sin with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah the Hittite, Bathsheba’s husband. Nathan the prophet confronts David about his sin by telling him a story about a rich man who took a poor man’s only lamb instead of taking one of his own many lambs to feed his guest. David was outraged by this story and declared that the rich man should be punished, but Nathan then revealed that David was the rich man in the story. This led David to confess his sin and repent. Prayers for restoration it reads in Psalm 51:7-9: Restoration through the blood of sacrifice. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.

It reads in Psalm 51:1-19 NIV
{For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.}
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. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

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