In Psalm 51, important to read the Psalm's heading: To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
For this account, II Samuel chapter 11 (the sin) and 12 (the rebuke from Nathan).
This Psalm is a clear example of confession to repentance. From JFB Commentary: "The Psalm illustrates true repentance, in which are comprised conviction, confession, sorrow, prayer for mercy, and purposes of amendment, and it is accompanied by a lively faith."
Psalm 51:3 - For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Acknowledge - I John 1:9.
My sin is ever before me (that is, "I am painfully aware of my sin; it is on my mind as an abiding grief"), I John 1:8, 10. Romans 7:24.
Psalm 51:4 - Against thee, thee only, have I sinned.
Notice, people hurt or involved by David's sin: Uriah, Bathsheba, David's wife Michal, David's messengers (II Samuel 11:4), Joab, the nation of Israel as a whole. All affected.
But David is aware that none of these were sinned against as much as God Almighty was. Joseph said the same thing, Genesis 39:9. If we would focus on not sinning against God, we would not sin against others.
Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
A wonderful prayer in time of confession, for He shall "cleanse us from all unrighteousness" in our confession, I John 1:9. See Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:10.
Psalm 51:11 - Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
A prayer that no New Testament believer ever needs to utter, praise Jesus!
Psalm 51:17 - Blessed promise to claim when repentant! And a beautiful motivator to sincere repentance.
VM
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