Forgive Me

Psalm 51

I. The Psalmist Needed Help

A. David knew he was a guilty sinner and he wanted God to deal with him according to God’s mercy rather than anything he himself had to offer. “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” (Psalm 51:1)

B. David believed that God could cleanse him even from sin; people who do not have such confidence in God despair. “Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:2)

C. David freely admitted his guilt and took it seriously. “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” (Psalm 51:3)

D. Ultimately, sin is always against God primarily; sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” (Psalm 51:4)

E. Sin is inherent in human nature in all generations. “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5) “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2:1)

II. Renewal Follows Confession

A. God can supply that total transformation which cleans a person from the inside. “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:6-7)

B. The punishment and the scrubbing are worth the pain when the result is a genuinely clear conscience. “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.” (Psalm 51:8) “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:5-6)

C. David asked to have all of his sins cleared away from him; only a confident believer would risk bringing such sin to God’s attention. “Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.” (Psalm 51:9)

III. With Renewal Comes Rededication

A. God can give a sinner a new heart and a new spirit. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

B. God does not treat people as disposable consumer products. “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11) “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)

C. When God restores, the redeemed break out in testimonies of grace. “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” (Psalm 51:12-13) “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” (1 Peter 3:15)

D. The power of the transformed life demonstrates itself in the attitudes of changed hearts. “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:16-17)

IV. With Rededication Comes New Direction

A. When sinners get beyond themselves, they become interested in the advancement of the entire redeemed community. “Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 51:18) “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.” (Psalm 122:6-9)

B. When a believer starts moving in the right direction, the speed of new life and new productivity begins to increase as well. “Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.” (Psalm 51:19) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)