“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight—
that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will 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 hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering;then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.”
Psalm 51 NKJV
Lord of Lords, My Father,
I have always loved this Psalm, the humble prayer of a King. When I read that tradition believes that David wrote it after Nathan came to convict him of sin, it gained authenticity. It is real and full of repentance, not I have been caught out. David was not just feeling bad he was knew his guilt.
It is a heart rending cry to You God. Not just an 0wning up – but a desire to get back to a right relationship with You and never go back there again. The Bible does not skirt round situations it speaks as loudly today. Society sometimes just plays them down. Your Word Lord is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Judgement and mercy. You know the heart of man.
Today, as I read this Psalm I have something David did not have. I have the cross fresh in my mind and the risen Lord Jesus hearing my prayers. But without Jesus David had a very real relationship with You, his God and we both have discovered the depth of You love, forgiveness and faithfulness. You are amazing my Lord and God. Sometimes the joy of our salvation takes us by surprise again and we thank You for those moments.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 10th April 2026
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, oh God
And renew a right spirit within me
Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh Lord
And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me
Lyrics: Keith Green Psalm 51