Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12 WEB

King David wrote Psalm 51 petitioning God to restore to him what David described as “the joy of your salvation,” He did so after God rebuked him for taking Bathsheba from Uriah the Hittite. Bathsheba and Uriah were married. While Uriah was away at war, David saw Uriah’s wife bathing on the rooftop of her home and David sent for her. The two of them produced a child in an adulterous affair and David eventually created a circumstance where Uriah died in battle to cover up their sin.

After that, David took Bathsheba as a wife and a son was born to them. God sent Nathan the prophet to confront David about his adultery and murderous plot. In spite of the danger, Nathan went to David and delivered the Lord’s message. In the course of their conversation, David learned that because of his sin, the son that was born from the adultery would die.

I Fasted and Wept

The child became sick. David fasted and prayed. He pleaded with the Lord to spare the life of the boy. On the seventh day of the illness, the child died. After the boy passed, David said these words from 2 Samuel 12:22-23, “While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. KJV”

The death of his son and the confrontation with the prophet made clear God’s displeasure with David. In response to this, David repented from his sin and took full responsibility for his actions. His words from Psalm 51 demonstrate his struggle to restore his relationship with God. That is why he wrote, “restore me to the joy of your salvation.” Just like you and I, David needed forgiveness for his sins.

Yesterday’s Devotional: The Will of Our God