RESTORATION
Psalm 51: 12-19
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A PRESBYTERIAN PSALTER - by Pastor Max A Forsythe |
There is not doubt about the circumstances behind this particular psalm. The title of the psalm refers us back to the dark desires and deeds recorded in 2 Samuel 11 & 12. There in those chapters we read of Nathan the prophet confronting the Oriental potentate on his very throne. No other absolute monarch of David's time would have even blinked an eye for having acted as he did. Even the horny politicians of our time find it difficult to admit the reality and shame of sin. But let us not stop with the secularist's among us.
When I was in seminary, one European theologian was pushed upon us students as being very profound. But no one was disturbed when the media of the time reported that on his death, he left the income from his many theological books to his mistress! When I gave away my copies of his books, several fellow students observed that St Augustine and C.S. Lewis had had the same type of problem in their youth. Yes, but they both repented from their sins much in the manner that David does in the psalm before us.
When the divine message was given by Nathan, it pierced David's heart. His conscience was once again aroused and he saw the depth of his sin. Because of this public confession we have our Psalm today. The great sin of the King is not to be excused. Here was a man after God's own heart, a saint of half a century, who for the longings of lust flung away the joys of Divine communion. This great sin, darkened his soul, ended his prosperity, and brought down upon his remaining years a succession of calamities. He made his name and his religion a target for generations of scoffers.
As a man, as a king, as a soldier David was found wanting. And yet, we dwell on this sorry tale because it teaches us, as no other, about the boundless grace of our Sovereign Lord and God. As we consider David's sin and in this psalm: David's confession, let us always remember to follow his example of confession as we are confronted by the Holy Spirit of David's God.
There are six steps of repentance recorded in the course of this psalm. David begins in verses one and two by invoking the mercy the Lord. Notice his usual familiarity of God's saving relationship is missing. We do not find in these two verses any possessive pronouns. Notice that David does not speak of "my God" here. He comes as a stranger returning to the Lord in hope of restoration. But notice David does not focus upon his previous relationship. He focuses on God's great mercy and unfailing love.
On that basis he pleads that his transgression might be blotted out and that he might be washed and cleansed from iniquity and sin. This lesson is of vital importance: it is God's mercy rather than our repentance that is foremost in our saving relationship through Jesus Christ. David continues by confessing not only his particular sin, but also confessing his sinful nature. Not only in verse four does he admit that he has sinned against our Sovereign Lord, but as Luther would translate it: "Against thee only do I sin." We ought to ask ourselves if we have learned the same lesson in life so that we can better understand the revealed nature our our own needs as we stand today before our Creator and Savior.
We, like David, should also learn to admit the fact of our doing sin, even when we know our God through Jesus Christ. This fact proves the justification for the necessity of God's judgment. David closes this portion by admitting that this wisdom was taught to Him by God's particular revelation. Once we arrive at this point by the power of the Holy Spirit, like David we become aware of the need for God Himself to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This need we find in verses seven to nine. Here he admits that nothing but the strongest purification can avail to cleanse me. David speaks of the hyssop here and looks forward to the sacrifices at the end of the psalm.
In between he realizes that the mere legal ceremonies only symbolize the necessary cleansing and washing. He asks that he might be assured of the joy and gladness of the good news that his own sins are hidden and blotted out forever. Have we ever read a more forceful argument for the necessity of Christ's death on the cross? Our Father God Himself took upon His own Son the unbearable weight of our sins and because of Christ our sins are indeed forgiven and we are cleansed.
But there is not only cleansing, David speaks also of renewal and restoration in verses ten to twelve. This sovereign salvation experience is a marvelous display of supreme power. David senses the immensity of it when he pleads for a new heart. He has understood that the old heart is flawed. David has no hope for eternity unless God implants a new heart by the power of His Holy Spirit. We should note that David here uses the word create in verse ten. It is a word used three times in the opening chapters of Genesis. Create "bara" in me a pure heart. This word is only used of the work of God. If God will do this, then there is real hope for a constant steadfast spirit to sustain us. Only God's action on our behalf can hold us fast in His presence.
David pleads that the Holy Spirit be kept in his heart so that he might know again the joy of salvation. If God will mercifully act on his behalf then David can affirm what God can do for others. David, like Peter, Paul and all the other Saints realizes the power of the Gospel. We who are forgiven sins great and small, we who are turned from our sinful nature by the hand of God, we who are saved by our Sovereign God must freely testify to what God has done for us. Like David the King we too sing of God's righteousness. And if the Lord will open our lips in the presence of sinners we may declare God's praise. And what is that praise? It is not the ritual ceremonies that symbolize forgiveness. No, it is the humble hearts that confess the glories of God's Name.
And it is these humble hearts alone that allow the Judaic Church of the Old Covenant to offer righteous sacrifices. To that witness David looks forward in the eventual building of the Jerusalem Temple in the last two verses. In the Lord's good pleasure it is in humble hearts that Jerusalem will prosper. It is in humble hearts that the walls of the kingdom will rise. It is in humble hearts that sacrifices will become righteous.
Will you praise God this day by admitting your sinful nature?
Will you praise God by thanking Him for the sacrifice of His Son to cover your sinful nature?
Will you give witness by your fellowship with the saints that you are saved by God's mercy alone?
If you are not on your spiritual knees at David's side, may God's Holy Spirit come upon you to bring you the same soul searching that King David tells us was his own! Amen.
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Resources Used: |
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Kidner, Derek. |
Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms. | |
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Spurgeon, C.H. |
The Treasury of David. | |
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IBS: The Holy Bible, New International Version (1984) | ||
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Psm 051a |
11 November 90 & 18 June 95 | |