Psalm 51: A model for forgiveness and gratitude

Written by King David, many people consider Psalm 51 to be the most anguished confession of sin in the Bible. It is that, but it is also much more. The psalm provides us a blueprint to follow if we ever find ourselves dealing with the wreckage of wandering from God.

'Blueprint' may not be the best word to use when describing this psalm. Many times, a blueprint is a simple process to follow in order to achieve a goal. Blueprints tend to be more intellectually driven and do not usually include the contents of our heart.

While this psalmist's goal is repentance and restoration of fellowship with God, we need to always remember that one of the most important parts of us that God wants is our heart. If there is one characteristic here that leaps out at us, it is how David poured his heart out to God. David was genuinely sorry for what he had done and was not going through a ritualistic exercise so he could feel better about himself.

David wrote this psalm after he began his relationship with Bathsheba. While Bathsheba's soldier husband was away, David began an affair with her. The Bible details their relationship in 2 Samuel 11, including David's efforts to kill her husband and its aftermath.

Keeping in mind that at different points in his life many described David as "a man after God's own heart," his list of sins in this situation is startling. The list includes his lusting after Bathsheba, committing adultery with her, conspiring to deceive her husband, making her husband drunk, conspiring to murder then actually murdering him, and then ignoring his sins until Nathan confronted him in 2 Samuel 12.

David wrote this psalm at some point after Nathan confronted him. It was at this point that the enormity of his sins against God and the pain he had inflicted on people began to hit him. His writing sheds light on his regret and his desire to recapture a close fellowship with God.

The first nine verses are an urgent plea. He confesses that he sinned against God and needed His forgiveness. In the first two verses, he admitted his "transgressions." In verse four, it is clear that David knew that a person can sin only against God. He may have hurt other people, but God is the only One we can sin against.

He then asked that God forgive and cleanse him. In verse seven, he asked: "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Hyssop was a plant used in ritual cleansing at that time.

The final verses are a response of gratitude to God. He continued to petition God for forgiveness, but he knew that if he wanted to change, he would have to remain close to Him. In verses 11-12 he pleaded, "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."

He then closed the psalm by saying he would teach others so that they would know all about God and know not to do what he did. In this case, David was willing to use his experiences as a teaching tool for others. Likewise, after we sin, good can come of it if we are humble enough to allow our experiences to help others when needed.

Sometimes, people think that things they have done may be too much for God to forgive. David's list of sins was severe and wide ranging, but God was there for him. When we do wrong to others, it is human to want to avoid those we have hurt. The same goes with our relationship with God. When we sin against God, we realize we have hurt Him so we are hesitant to turn to Him.

Do not let anything you may have done in your past be a stumbling block when it comes to God. He was there waiting for David when he was ready. He wants to do the same for you.