"CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O GOD." David acknowledged his transgression and pleaded with the Lord for forgiveness and restoration. His grievous sin had cost him the joy of salvation. While the gift of salvation cannot be lost, the joy of salvation can. Both come from the Lord. When one receives the gospel offer by faith, immediately he is assured of eternal life as the gift of God through the working of the Holy Spirit, and trusting solely in the crucified Saviour, sins are forgiven, the burden of guilt is removed and the heart is filled with joy. Such is the Christian's state as he walks in the ways of God, shunning evil and delighting in the holy commandments. But alas! the flesh yielded to temptation and the psalmist fell into grievous sin. Then he groaned "day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me." God is faithful: when the penitent sinner truly turns back with broken spirit and contrite heart, the Lord will not despise or reject, but He restores to him the joy of salvation. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

For Meditation:
Those joys, my God, which once I knew,
Those glorious joys restore:
Thy Spirit's free! His grace renew,
Nor let me wander more.