The goal of the psalm depends on the historical situation it addressed. If the superscription is historically correct, David’s goal was to cry out to God for forgiveness and to be forgiven because of God’s steadfast love and abundant mercy. But most scholars agree that these superscriptions were added by later editors when the psalms were collected and shaped into the Psalter.49 When these superscriptions identify the author and the occasion for writing, such as in Psalm 51, they offer the editor’s