Psalm 51 is one of the most powerful passages in Scripture. King David wrote it after he had sinned with Bethsheba. It has been said that David’s sin with Bathsheba broke every one of the Ten Commandments. King David had every reason to expect God’s wrath, but he asked for God’s forgiveness and restoration. The psalm begins, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions” (Psalm 51:1). 

King David knew God and understood God’s desire to redeem even the worst, most unforgivable choices. David also knew God required what brought God “delight.” When we approach God with “truth in the inward being,” God is delighted to hear. 

When it's necessary to confess, the first step is to come to a place of complete truth in our own hearts. God knows our thoughts, even our deep and dark thoughts, and that is where confession begins. God teaches his wisdom to our “secret heart,” that place in us that only God is fully aware of. It’s to our “secret heart” that God will teach us his wisdom. 

Back then, the Hebrew people had limited knowledge of science. But, they did know that when a heart stopped beating, life was gone. They understood the most powerful moments in life caused their hearts to beat faster. In Scripture, the heart indicates the center of life, passions, and motivation. King David asked God to teach him wisdom for the very source of his life—his secret heart. 

God accepted David’s honest repentance and granted him a restored life. David lived with the consequences of his sins but did not remain separated from God because of them. God restored David’s heart until he could redeem David’s life eternally. 

The Lord gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Only God can apply those blessings to our secrets.

He will blot out our transgressions when we receive his word into our inward being, our “secret heart.” You can draw near to God with your true repentance, knowing you will be received and welcomed into his presence because our Father delights in truth.