Psalm 51 is a classic poem of repentance, where David pleads with the LORD for forgiveness.  He asks in numerous different ways to be pardoned:

– Blot out my transgressions

– Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity

– Cleanse me from my sin

– Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean

– Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow

– Hide your face from my sins

– Blot out all my iniquities

– Create in me a clean heart

– Renew a right spirit within me

– Cast me not away from your presence

– Take not your Holy Spirit from me

– Restore to me the joy of your salvation

– Uphold me with a willing spirit

– Deliver me from bloodguiltiness

Notice that God is the one who must do all the actions, not David.  The requests move from personal pardon to restoration of the relationship with God.

After all these requests, David summarizes the nature of true repentance, which is one reason he is called a man after God’s own heart: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

 

See the June 26 post (Gospel Message category) for more information on the history behind this psalm.