~ Psalm 51
David is a man who had everything. He was a king of exceptional beauty, wealth and influence. But he took these privileges for granted and oppressed others to get what he wanted: he seduced a married woman then had her husband killed. In the passage above, David expresses remorse by recognizing his wrongdoing, and asks God's forgiveness. He realizes that broken-heartedness, a repentant spirit, is the only way forward.
The word oppression means to press against, or smother, another. It is quite literally what Derek Chauvin did to George Floyd. Coincidentally, the name Derek means "people ruler", and Chauvin is the root of the word chauvinistic, meaning of course "excessive belief in the superiority of one's race".
If oppression is exemplified by putting your knee on someone else's throat, repentance is exemplified by removing the pressure and taking a knee, a gesture of humility and surrender. And what humility it takes to use your power to be meek, to empower others, to ask forgiveness. What humility, but what strength!
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