Psalm 51 is a prayer from David to God after his missteps into murder and adultery. The outcome was horrific. Even with God’s forgiveness we are stuck with memories of the harm we have caused. The psalm is full of outcomes and more detail but I see another formula. What are the steps to tell God that we are truly sorry for our sin? Action words are verbs so this is what David has to say to God, by verse – my condensed version.
DEAR GOD,
1 – Have mercy on me
2 – Wash me – cleanse me
7 – Purge me – wash me again
8 – Make me hear joy and gladness
9 – Hide my face
10 – Create in me a new heart (my fav verse) – and renew a right spirit
12 – Restore the joy of my salvation
14 – Deliver me from guilt
15 – Open my lips
18 – Do good in Thy good pleasure
Lord, show us how to confess sin and seek your face in forgiveness. Then cleanse and deliver us so we can/will praise you anew. We know sin is serious and you are serious that we deal with it.
