The Broken King: Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

The heading tells us when: after Nathan confronted David about Bathsheba and Uriah. The king who could command armies could not command forgiveness. He could only beg.

Have mercy. The first word is plea. No excuses, no explanations, no blame-shifting. Just mercy requested.

According to your unfailing love. David grounds his appeal in God's character. According to your compassion. Not according to David's repentance or resume—according to God's nature.