"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to they lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions." Psalm 51:1
Mercy - to be favorably inclined toward someone not deserving it.
This illustrates David's humility. he beseeches the Almighty God to bend low to David and show him, who is inferior, kindness he doesn't deserve by blotting out his transgressions.
God did not remove the consequences of David's sin (II Samuel 12), but He did forgive David. "...The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die." (II Samuel 12:13-14) All that God said would happen to David did. His sins were forgiven, but he still had to live through the consequences.
David accepted it, even when he had to run from Absalom. He didn't resist what happened because He knew it was God's judgment on him.
Just as he trusted God to make him king, David trusted God through the consequences of his sin.
God did have mercy on David. He did put away David's sin and would not let him die.
David didn't wallow in his sin and forsake God. He still loved God. He still pleased God, and we know this because of God's testimony of David in Acts 13:22 ("I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart").
Lord, help me to be as humble as David, receiving what You give me, both mercy and consequence. Help me to not make excuses or lash out in anger or continue in sin or count You unjust.
