In this confession, notice how David plainly names his sin. He doesn't call it manslaughter or say it was an unfortunate accident. He calls it what it is: bloodguiltiness. He didn't directly kill Bathsheba's husband, but in his heart, he planned for Uriah's death. Before God, David was a murderer. When you confess, be honest with God. Don't use nice words for ugly sins. No matter what you call them, they won't be any sweeter. See sin as God sees it, and openly acknowledge its real nature. David was troubled by the seriousness of his sin. Words are easy; truly feeling their weight is hard.

Psalm 51 shows a deeply contrite spirit. Let's seek that same brokenness of heart. No matter how excellent our words, if we don't feel the seriousness of sin, we can't expect forgiveness. Our scripture is an earnest prayer to the God of salvation. Only He can forgive; it's His very nature to save those who seek Him.

The text calls Him the God of my salvation. While I approach Him through Jesus' blood, I can rejoice in my Savior. The psalmist ends with a promise: if God delivers him, he'll sing, no, he'll "sing aloud." Who can sing any other way about such mercy? Notice the focus of the song: "Your righteousness." We must sing about the finished work of our precious Savior. Those who understand forgiving love sing the loudest.