David cried out to God, he needed a clean heart, renewing of a right spirit within him, he knew he needed to purged and cleansed, overwhelmed by the depth of the sins he had committed, he wanted to get back on track. He wanted to be in communion with, be in a restored relationship with his God.
The words of an older song come to mind ” The righteous shall compass me about, for he has dealt bountifully with me” We need God’s compass to guide and lead us, his word is a lamp unto our feet, a light unto our path. Without his help, without his grace we are consigned to a place of wandering, like sheep without a shepherd, scattered. When Jesus saw people like this his immediate response was “compassion” . Everyone needs compassion.. but we must recognise first that we have to hand over to God all that is not right, to humbly acknowledge our sin, to be prepared to repent, turn around and walk more closely with our God .
Psalm 51 vs. 10-13 Create In Me A Clean Heart
Create in me a clean heart, O God
Renew a right spirit within me
You know my wrongdoings, my sin, LORD
I am your child, with you I need to be
You call to me, be honest, don’t run with the horde
Your word, I have come that you might be free
I kneel at your cross, I cry forgive me LORD
Renew a right spirit within me
Do not banish me from your presence,
And don’t take your Holy Spirit from me
Without you I am nothing, you’re my life essence
From you I have no desire to run or flee
I desire to be your child, my praise to you incense
In your presence is where I desire to be
Restore to me again the joy of your salvation
And make me willing to obey you
Mould me and shape me a new Godly creation
Help me to be at one with your view
Pour me out to others as your libation
That I may bring others to know you
Then I will teach your ways to sinners
And they will return to you
In you they can find they are winners
Your desire is to see more than a godly few
To see maturing in spiritual beginners
As they worship, they give you your due.
Mark Maffey October 2005 (NLT)