Introduction

This Psalm is David's confession following his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11 and 12).

Verses
1Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness.
According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity.
Cleanse me from my sin.
3For I know my transgressions.
My sin is constantly before me.
4Against you, and you only, I have sinned,
and done that which is evil in your sight,
so you may be proved right when you speak,
and justified when you judge.
5Behold, I was born in iniquity.
My mother conceived me in sin.
6Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts.
You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
7Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean.
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8Let me hear joy and gladness,
that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
9Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all of my iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a right spirit within me.
11Don’t throw me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation.
Uphold me with a willing spirit.
13Then I will teach transgressors your ways.
Sinners will be converted to you.
14Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation.
My tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15Lord, open my lips.
My mouth will declare your praise.
16For you don’t delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it.
You have no pleasure in burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.
O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart.
 
18Do well in your good pleasure to Zion.
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness,
in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings.
Then they will offer bulls on your altar.

Questions

1. What does David appeal to God for, to blot out his transgressions?

v 1 Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness.
According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

2. Who has David sinned against?

v 4 Against you, and you only, I have sinned,
and done that which is evil in your sight, ...

3. What sacrifice does God want more than a burnt offering?

v 16 and 17 ... You have no pleasure in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart.

Summary Points

  • v 1 to 11 David asks God to show mercy because he is a loving God. He confesses his sin and asks to be cleansed
  • v 12 to 15 David pleads with God to restore his relationship so that he can teach others
  • v 16 to 19 He realises that repentance is more acceptable than sacrifice. He looks forward to future restoration of Jerusalem

 Timeline 1050 BC

Audio