Psalm 51

I have been reading the Psalms lately - to myself and when we go visit David at the nursing home. When I read it to myself, I like to make it personal as if I were saying it to God... as if it were my prayer. I love this Psalm about repentance, godly sorrow, confession, turning away from sin, forgiveness, restoration of God's favor, rejoicing in salvation, willingness to testify to God's grace (Zodhiates commentary).

Psalm 51:

1Have mercy upon Rachael, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out her transgressions.

2Wash her throughly from her iniquity, and cleanse her from her sin.

3For Rachael acknowledges her transgressions: and her sin is ever before her.

4Against thee, thee only, has she sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

5Behold, Rachael was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did her mother conceive her.

6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make her to know wisdom.

7Purge her with hyssop, and Rachael shall be clean: wash her, and Rachael shall be whiter than snow.

8Make her to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9Hide thy face from her sins, and blot out all her iniquities.

10Create in her a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within her.

11Cast her not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from her.

12Restore unto her the joy of thy salvation; and uphold her with thy free spirit.

13Then will Rachael teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14Deliver her from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of her salvation: and her tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15O Lord, open thou her lips; and her mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would Rachael give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.