Psalm 51 was written by David after the prophet Nathan called attention to David’s grave sin with Bath-sheba. David’s conscience struck him, and he humbly confessed.—2Sa 12:1-14.

51:3, 4, 8-12, 17

• Before he repented and confessed, his conscience made him miserable

• He suffered such agony over God’s disapproval that he felt like a man whose bones were crushed

• He longed for forgiveness, spiritual recovery, and the joy that he had previously experienced

• He humbly begged Jehovah to help him develop a willingness to obey

• He was confident of Jehovah’s forgiveness