Reflecting on Psalm 51:1, we see so clearly that the reason why David was so quick to ask God to forgive his great sin with Bathsheba and against Uriah, and ultimately against Him, was because he knew who God was. He knew the greatness of His compassion and love. Too often we linger so long in our sin, thinking that we don’t deserve forgiveness. We may be trying to punish ourselves for a while until we feel more deserving.

But David knew God. He knew the ever-readiness of His compassion. I like the way the NKJV says it:

Have mercy upon me, O God,

According to Your lovingkindness;

According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,

Blot out my transgressions.

NKJV

Here it is clear. God’s mercy, and our confession, must be “according to” His lovingkindness, “according to” the multitude of His tender mercies. God is always ready to forgive us. His compassion is always full. Whenever we are ready to ask for His forgiveness. He is ready to give it–in full.