Come, Follow Me

Psalm 51

What Can Psalm 51 Teach Us about Repentance?

What can we learn about repentance by studying David’s pleadings in Psalm 51? He acknowledged his sin (verses 3–4) and prayed for mercy (verse 1), cleansing (verse 2), and “a right spirit” (verse 10). He recognized the importance of “a broken and a contrite heart” (verse 17). He desired to “teach transgressors [the Lord’s] ways” (verse 13).

Consider these important aspects of repentance:

• Faith in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

• Sorrow for sin

• Confession

• Abandonment of sin

• Restitution

• Righteous living

Forgiveness

“When we repent, when we confess and forsake our sins, the Lord says He remembers them no more [see Doctrine and Covenants 58:42–43]. It is not that He forgets; rather, in a remarkable way, it seems He chooses not to remember them, nor need we.”

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Trust Again,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 98.

Discussion

What is the goal of repentance? (see Psalm 51:10–12; Gospel Topics, “Repentance,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).