We’re taking another little break from the sermon on the mount. Last week, Psalm 51 kept coming to my attention. So, I've been ruminating on this beautiful song. Here are some thoughts.
David wrote this psalm after Nathan had called him out about Bathsheba. (See 2 Samuel 11-12 to read the painful details.) He knows that this sin was HUGE and he’s grieving over this downfall.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. - Psalm 51:3-4 ESV
David knows that he deserves severe punishment for his crimes.
Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. - Psalm 51:11 ESV
Despite his guilt and his brokenness, David still trusts in God’s steadfast love and mercy.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. - Psalm 51:1 ESV
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. - Psalm 51:17 ESV
Several times, David pleads with the Lord to forgive him and wash him from his sin. I think my favorite verse about this is verse 10:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10 ESV
When God does this for David, his joy will be restored, and he will tell everyone what the Lord has done for him. David will teach sinners about God, so that they might turn to Him, nd he will always sing the Lord’s praises.
I know that, like David, I sin and fall short of God’s perfection. In Jesus, I am free from the penalty of my sin, but in my human nature, I can’t stop sinning completely. But He is always faithful to forgive me when I confess (1 John 1:8-9). With God’s help, I can have a new heart and resist temptation with the Holy Spirit in me (2 Corinthians 5:17). And after He has cleansed me from my sin and restored my joy, I will go and tell everyone what He has done for me. I will sing songs of praise to my faithful, loving, merciful God.
Think About:
Have you ever been broken like David?
Have you been made new in Jesus?
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