Psalm 51 (Penitential Psalm) — Prayer · jesusTALK

Original Prayer

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

Context (Old Covenant)

Penitential psalm of David from the Old Testament. Prayed under the Old Covenant before forgiveness in Christ was finally accomplished.

What it teaches

Honest confession of guilt; longing for purity; request for a renewed heart.

Realization in the New Covenant

Psalm 51 is David's prayer after his adultery with Bathsheba. Under the Old Covenant this was legitimate, David had no permanent access to forgiveness. In the New Covenant:

›"Do not take your Holy Spirit from me", The Spirit CANNOT be taken from you. You are sealed (Eph 1:13-14)
›"Wash me", You are already washed, once and for all (Heb 10:10-14; 1Cor 6:11)
›"I was born in guilt", In Christ you are a NEW creation (2Cor 5:17)
›"Create in me a clean heart", You HAVE a new heart (Eze 36:26; Heb 8:10)
›Psalm 51 shows the plight of the Old Covenant. The cross answered that plight once and for all.

Prayer in the New Covenant

Father, thank you for cleansing through Jesus' blood, it stands once and for all. I let go of guilt and wrong paths. I am a new creation, your Spirit is in me and stays. Renew my thinking and let me live from joy, not from guilt. Amen.