Create in Me a Clean Heart: David's Confession

The superscription identifies this psalm precisely: written after the prophet Nathan confronted David about Bathsheba — and about the murder of Uriah. David opens: 'Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.' Then the most theologically startling line in the psalm: 'Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.' David killed a man. He says he only sinned against God. Commentators have debated this ever since. The psalm ends with a confession that ritual sacrifice is not enough — 'My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.'