Psalm 51:10-11

Psalm 51

10 

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

11 

Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

What is the state of your heart? According to Jeremiah, the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (17:9). Apart from God, there is nothing good about it.

David writes this Psalm right after he is confronted about his affair with Bathsheba. He realizes his heart is wicked and has betrayed him. His prayer- “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” A pure heart- without sin, malice, jealousy, lust, deceit, bitterness, hate; a heart that is then focused on God and filled with His love.

Why is the state of our heart important? We cannot be in the presence of God with an unclean heart. An earlier Psalm says, “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…” (24:3-4). Then in this Psalm, David says don’t cast me out of your presence or take your spirit from me. Don’t give up on me because of my sin. Forgive and restore me.

To be in God’s presence- during worship, prayer, communion with Him each day- our hearts must be pure and able to wholly focus on Him. Spend time in prayer asking God to purify your heart. Give over everything to Him.

Deuteronomy 6:5- You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.