David is praying for a real, palpable joy that he can experience. But it’s not just that; it's a joy that is in relation to God's salvation.

David is praying for a real, palpable joy that he can experience. But it’s not just that; it's a joy that is in relation to God's salvation.

The presence of God is something David had experienced. It's something he’d known and felt and tasted. What makes the prayer of Psalm 51:11 earnest for David is that he's asking not to be deprived of what he had justly forfeited — the nearness of God.

The presence of God is something David had experienced. It's something he’d known and felt and tasted. What makes the prayer of Psalm 51:11 earnest for David is that he's asking not to be deprived of what he had justly forfeited — the nearness of God.

God cares about our hearts, and our hearts are terribly broken. What David models in Psalm 51:10 is the absolute and only thing we can do about our own hearts — ask God for a new one.

God cares about our hearts, and our hearts are terribly broken. What David models in Psalm 51:10 is the absolute and only thing we can do about our own hearts — ask God for a new one.

Why does David pray that his mouth would declare God’s praise? And… why should we pray that our mouths declare God’s praise? There’s more than one answer that, but the ultimate reason is that God’s praise is the reason we have mouths to begin with.

Why does David pray that his mouth would declare God’s praise? And… why should we pray that our mouths declare God’s praise? There’s more than one answer that, but the ultimate reason is that God’s praise is the reason we have mouths to begin with.

In Psalm 119:9-16, we encounter the Psalmist's threefold approach to the Word of God. His approach is one of discipline, desire and delight.

In Psalm 119:9-16, we encounter the Psalmist's threefold approach to the Word of God. His approach is one of discipline, desire and delight.