“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins” (Psalm 51:1 NLT)

David prayed for God’s mercy and forgiveness after being confronted with his sin with Bathsheba. He did not ask for God’s mercy based on himself, but according to God’s “unfailing love” and “great compassion.” David knew what his sin deserved, yet he cried out for God to forgive according to His nature, not his own. He did not bargain with God, promising some great sacrifice. He begged God’s forgiveness, willingly confessing his sin and repentance. David’s prayer is a template for those of us who would confess our sins and seek forgiveness from God. For God has already demonstrated His own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).