He was afraid, embarrassed, and disgraced. He longed to return to God but didn't know how. He knew God would not accept an animal sacrifice because of the graveness of his sin. He was so ashamed that he couldn't open his mouth.

He knew the only way back was to trust in God's mercy, to appeal to God's goodness. If God would open his lips, then he could ask for forgiveness, then he could beg for mercy. So, in the silence of his fear, in the depths of his brokenness, David cried out, “Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise.”

It may be hard to image that David, who God called “a man after my own heart”, could have such a fall from grace. God gave David victory over Golaith. He protected him in battle. He took him from the sheepfold and made him king. If any man was so endowed, so blessed, so graced, and so favored with the spirit of God, it was David.

Yet, in this account, we see a different David. After hearing Nathan's story he pronounces sentence, not knowing that he has just passed judgment on himself. He says, ”'the man who has done this merits death!” What we now see in David is not a royal servant of God, not the saintly forefather of the Son of God, but a man publicly humiliated and disgraced.

In this state of disgrace, David turns to God. Psalm 51 is David's prayer. It teaches us about forgiveness, penance, prayer, and the Feast of Divine Mercy.

David's psalm-prayer begins by acknowledging his sin. He says, “Have mercy on me … from my sin cleanse me … for I know my offense.”

David does not try to justify himself. He does not recount his goods deeds or accomplishments in an effort to offset the evil he has done. David's prayer is the plea a true penitent. It is grounded in humility. He begs God to have mercy upon Him for mercy’s sake. He appeals to the very nature of God which is Divine Mercy itself. He flies to God’s Infinite Mercy, and depends entirely on it for pardon and peace.

In St. Faustina's diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, Jesus says, “Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.”

David is very honest about his guilt before God. He prays, 'wash me, for my iniquity is great and the stain of my guilt is deep'. “Blot out my offense … wash away all my guilt.” “My sin is always before me, to humble me, to mortify me, and make me tremble in grief.”

Although David's sin is very public, and a disgrace to God and Israel, he says, “Against you alone have I sinned.” David is saying 'God alone is Holy.' God alone, being sinless, has the authority to judge.” It is his sin against God that grieves him most. David submits with the discipline of a penitent, and accepts his just judgment.

David's confession is specific. Being specific in confession allows us to take more comfort and confidence in our pardon. David lays the blame of his sin entirely upon himself saying, “I have done such evil in your sight.” His personal sin, as all sins, are in fact communal, because they affect all, tearing at the spiritual fabric of humanity. We, too, should be humbled in acknowledging that all our sins are in the sight of God – and do great damage – not only to ourselves but all others as well.

“That you are just in your sentence, blameless when you condemn.” Even though “the sword should never depart from his house”, David accepts the consequences and punishment for his sin. Even in his sin, David glorifies God. Let none say that God has done him any wrong.

“I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.” David does not ask God to excuse him but rather David confesses, 'Not only am I guilty of adultery and murder, but I have an adulterous murderous nature.' An awareness of our sinful nature is a grace given by God. It is an avenue to His Mercy.

“Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, make me whiter than snow.” David asks God for what God alone can give – a spirit like unto His own.

“Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.” David compares the pain of his broken heart to that of a broken bone. David asks God to put gladness into his heart. He asks not only to be reconciled, but, as a further act of grace, that God affirms his reconcillation.

“A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.” David prays for sanctifying grace. He does not pray, "Lord, preserve my reputation,’’ as did his predecessor King Saul. He concern is the reform of his corrupt nature, not how he is seen by others.

"Renew in me a steadfast spirit.” David discovered a great inconsistency within himself. He prays for God to repair his spiritual health and to set him right again. “Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit.” David prays for the continuance of God’s good-will, and continuation of God's good work in him, that he might never suffer the absence of God’s favor again.

“Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit.” He prays that even in his penance if God is with him all shall be well.’’ David pleads never be deprived of God’s grace.

And what does David promise should God restore him?

1. “I will teach the wicked Your ways, that sinners may return to You … Lord, open my lips; and my mouth will proclaim Your praise.” David, as one saved from death speaks from experience.
2. He resolves, that having experienced the Mercy of God, he will teach others about God’s Mercy.
3. He resolves to advise others to humble themselves, to confess their sins, and seek God’s face.
4. He vows to teach others how readily God pardons those that return to him in sincerity.
5. And in his thanksgiving, David will sing of God's mercy and His sustaining grace.

The essence of God's Divine Mercy is not just the forgiveness of our sins, nor the relenting of God's just punishment, but that we are changed within. David does not pray to be excused from judgement, but prays that he is made worthy of God's favor, and respond by extending God's mercy to others. This conversion, this inner transformation, is the essence of Divine Mercy: to worship God's Mercy, to become an instruments of His Peace, vessels of His forgiveness, and channels of His love.

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