My apologies for being late this week — we had out-of-town company over the last several days.

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

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

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

5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

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

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I am not going to outline this Psalm as it is pretty clear. I just want to pull a few thoughts from it.

This Psalm reminds me of the marks of godly sorrow and true repentance described in II Corinthians 7:9-11. There is no casual “Forgive me if I have done anything wrong” here.

David appeals to God’s lovingkindness here, and that is our hope and appeal as well. I am so glad God loves us in spite of our bent to sinning and created a way though Christ wherein we can have all our sins forgiven.

Though Israel was commanded to offer certain sacrifices at that time as a picture of the coming Christ’s redemptive work for us, just going through the motions was all for naught if there was not a broken and a contrite heart over sin (vv 16-17). God desires truth in the inward part of us (v. 6).

David acknowledges that, though his sin did affect other people, ultimately his sin was primarily against God (v. 4).

Thank God for His cleansing. I have prayed v. 10 many a time.

Then after there is acknowledgment, confession, repentance, and cleansing — then the joy is restored (vv. 8, 13).

See Butterfly Kisses for more Psalm Sunday meditations.