Psalms 51

The fourth and most famous of the Penitential Psalms, written by David after his great sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. David cries out for God's mercy, asking God to blot out his transgressions and wash him thoroughly from his iniquity. David confesses that he sinned against God alone. He prays for a spiritual transformation: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." David affirms that God desires truth in the inward parts and promises that if restored, he will teach transgressors God's ways, offering a broken spirit as the true sacrifice.