David’s Prayer For A Clean Heart

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.

Psalm 51:10-13

Through the prophet Nathan, a web of selfishness, adultery, betrayal, lies, and murder in David’s life had just been exposed. In that moment of crushing self-examination, David saw how sinful his heart was. Instead of withdrawing into a cocoon of self-pity, he prayed to the Lord. At this point in his prayer, David had turned the corner from ruthless self-examination to hopeful meditation. His sins were on his mind, but so was God’s mercy. He knew that the remedy for his guilt wasn’t self-sacrifice or a determination to make it right. No, David knew God was the only one who could save him from his sins and clean his filthy life.

Perhaps, like David, you are due for a heart exam by God. Whatever the condition of your heart, God is the only physician with an unfailing cure.

• O God, create in me a clean heart . . .