A Pure Heart

You can listen to Psalm 51 below and read the passage in the New International Version here.

“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.”

— Psalm 51: 1-9

Hi friends! Thank you so much for joining us here.

We hope to provide you with some questions to spark reflection on the Psalms.

If you want to, you can share some of your thoughts in the comments section below. We would love to hear how God is working in your heart.

King David wrote this psalm after the prophet Nathan confronted David about committing adultery with a woman named Bathsheba. David also intentionally caused Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, to be killed in attempts to hide his sin.

In Psalm 51, we see an example of repentance— turning away from sin and walking in the opposite direction. Repentance involves acknowledging, or confessing, our sin. With Nathan's help, David acknowledged his sin to the Lord.

Journal Starter for Psalm 51

1. How has God graciously showed you your sin in the past? Sometimes He shows us our sin through prayer, the Bible, or other people. Thank God for how He has loved you through showing you your sin.
   
   Take a moment to be still before the Lord. Ask Him to show you if there is any sin in your heart or your actions.
   
   If there is sin in your life that the Holy Spirit is or has been showing you, pause now and take as much time as you need to acknowledge it to the Lord. Conviction of sin is an invitation to deep intimacy with God! God wants you to become increasingly free of the things that bring destruction and darkness. He wants you to be close to Him and become more like Him— for your good and His glory! His arms are open wide and He delights in you as His child. 

2. Over and over, David asked God to clean and renew him. David realized that he could not clean himself or take away his own sin. He knew that only God could clean and heal him. 

   Why can it be tempting to try to take away our own sin without God's help?
   
   What things keep us from confessing our sin to God and/or other people?
   
   Do you believe that God can completely clean you from your sins? Why or why not?
   
   Take as long as you need now to confess to God that you cannot clean yourself on your own and that you need Him to clean and restore your heart. Praise Him for being faithful to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness!

3. How has God freed you from sin?

   Repentance involves walking in the opposite direction of our sin. David expressed his desire to walk toward the joy of salvation, godly leadership and teaching, and worship—all through God's help and power. 

   What might God be asking you to walk toward today? What would it look like to walk in the opposite direction of your sin? What would it look like to walk toward God?
   
   How has God freed you from guilt and empowered you to serve Him?