Psalm 51

This well-known Psalm is attributed to David after the prophet Nathan has confronted him with God’s knowledge of his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and heinous murder of her husband. David is horrified by his own evil and cries out to God. Along with his complete confession, his prayer for deliverance shows his understanding of his sin. The verbs “be gracious,” v1, “wash me,” v2, “purify,” v7, “create... renew... restore... sustain... deliver”... capture David’s understanding of the enormity of sin.

He would have paid any sacrifice, but it was his broken spirit that God accepted, v17.