Psalm PSALM—NOTE ON Psalms 51:1. This is probably the best known of the “Penitential Psalms” (Psalms 6:1; Psalms 25:1; Psalms 32:1; Psalms 38:1; Psalms 51:1; Psalms 130:1; Psalms 143:1). According to the title, David composed this psalm after being convicted of his sins, both in committing adultery with Bathsheba and in arranging the murder of Bathsheba’s husband (2 Samuel 12:1). At the same time, this is more than David’s personal prayer. It also encourages the worshiping congregation to confess their own sins (e.g., Psalms 51:16).

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