The Adulterer's Song

David was called a "man after God's own heart," yet David made many sinful choices in his life. He chose an affair with Bathsheba, and then he chose to murder her husband in order to cover up the whole incident. The heart of a murderous adulterer seems like the farthest thing from matching God's heart. In this Psalm, we get a glimpse of that heart.


David was attuned to the spiritual and emotional toll that his sin took on his soul. Some people choose to drown sorrows like these. David chose to acknowledge them. His remorse and regret led to his reconciliation with God.


David's sins might seem off the charts compared to our sins, but sin is sin, and it separates us from God. A person with God's heart is not a perfect person, but a person who acknowledges his need for God's strength in his weakness. Pray this prayer along with David today:


Psalm 51


By David, King of Judah

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12).

Have mercy on me, O God,

   according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

   blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity

   and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,

   and my sin is always before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned

   and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

   and justified when you judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth,

   sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

   you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

   wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;

   let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins

   and blot out all my iniquity.

 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

   and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

   or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

   and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

   so that sinners will turn back to you.

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

   you who are God my Savior,

   and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

Open my lips, Lord,

   and my mouth will declare your praise.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

   you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

My sacrifice, O God, is[b] a broken spirit;

   a broken and contrite heart

   you, God, will not despise.

May it please you to prosper Zion,

   to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,

   in burnt offerings offered whole;

   then bulls will be offered on your altar.

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