David didn’t defend himself or try to blame Bathsheba. He simply and succinctly said, “I’ve sinned against the Lord,” period. No amplification, no raw emotion, just a simple declaration and honest confession.

“After murdering a man, stealing his wife, deceiving the country? All he can say is one sentence? That’s not enough,” we might protest. But that’s a dangerous stance to take because we do not see a man’s heart. A person can be crying on national TV and go out and do the same thing again and again. Someone else might not have a tear in his eye, but he can be sincere to the point where he never sins in that particular way again. David made a single statement. And that was enough.

In Psalm 51, we are given additional information concerning what was going on in David’s heart . . .

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Psalm 51:1-3

David thought about his sin constantly . . .

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Psalm 51:6-8

As a former shepherd, David refers to a certain practice of Middle Eastern shepherds. That is, if a lamb continually wandered away, jeopardizing its own life by going into areas containing poisonous plants or wolves and foxes, the shepherd had no other recourse but to break its legs. Then he would reset the bones, splint them, and carry the lamb on his shoulders until the bone was healed. When the splint was taken off, the lamb would never leave the shepherd’s side, so closely had it bonded with the shepherd.

So too, God declares that He will do whatever it takes to draw His children close to Him that they might understand how much His heart is for them, that they might not wander away and get beat up or poisoned unnecessarily.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Psalm 51:9-13

“Lord, I’ll share what I found in You with others You send my way,” David prays.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:14-17

That which was happening in David’s soul was real. We don’t see a person’s heart. Only God sees the heart. David said one simple sentence in 2 Samuel 12:13. Psalm 51, however, speaks volumes.