Psalm 51 Devotional

A New Heart From God

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”Psalm 51:10 (BSB)

The heading sets Psalm 51 after Nathan the prophet confronted David over his adultery with Bathsheba (51:1). David offers no excuses. He appeals to God's loving devotion and great compassion and asks to be washed clean (51:1-2). He cannot stop seeing what he has done, and he knows it was above all an offense against God (51:3-4). He even traces it back to sin that marked him from the start of his life (51:5).

Yet the psalm is full of hope, because David asks for what only God can do. He does not ask for help repairing his old heart. He asks God to create a clean one (51:10). He begs not to be sent from God's presence, and for the joy of salvation to return (51:11-12). God does not want sacrifices offered as payment; he welcomes a heart humbled before him (51:16-17). John promises that God is faithful to forgive and cleanse those who confess (1 John 1:9). No failure lies beyond the God who makes hearts new.

To think about: What sin have you been trying to manage or excuse that you could bring to God today, asking him for a clean heart?