Psalms | Lectio Divina of Psalm 51

Welcome to our journey through the Psalms.  Today's Meditation is a Lectio Divina (scripture meditation, see the very first podcast for an explanation of Lectio Divina) of Psalm 51.  This passage is David's writing after one of his greatest mistakes.  He was responsible for breaking up a family, murdering a man, and ruining his dignity.  In this passage he is crying out to God to create a new heart in him, to restore all that was good before his mistake.  To revive the life inside of him.  Amidst our huge mistakes or small errors we can be plagued with guilt much like David, and we need to experience God's unfailing love.  My hope is you can experience that through this passage.


Psalm 51

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

Have mercy on me, O God,
    because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
    blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt.
    Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion;
    it haunts me day and night
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
    I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
    and your judgment against me is just.
For I was born a sinner—
    yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
But you desire honesty from the womb,
    teaching me wisdom even there.

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again;
    you have broken me—
    now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
    Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
    Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
    and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and make me willing to obey you.
Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
    and they will return to you.
Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
    then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
Unseal my lips, O Lord,
    that my mouth may praise you.