March 15, 2017
EVEN THAT? GOD WILL FORGIVE EVEN THAT?
Psalm 51
Nika Spaulding
Central Truth
After committing one of the worst transgressions in his life, David knows that nothing but the mercy of God will save him from his sin. Remembering God's character, David confesses his sin and asks for cleansing so that he might be restored to worship and tell others about God's forgiveness.
Key Verse | Psalm 51:1
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
(Psalm 51:1)
Psalm 51
Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1
Have mercy on me,
1
51:1
Or Be gracious to me
O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
3
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4
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.
5
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right
2
51:10
Or steadfast
spirit within me.
11
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
19
then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Dive Deeper | Psalm 51
Why didn’t I just go off to war? I wish I had never seen her on that roof. The stench of what we did—what I did—still sears my nostrils. When I think about her, my stomach aches like Uriah punched me in the gut. Uriah, my friend, my brother, what have I done?! (2 Samuel 11-12)
I know the Law allows for cleansing of sins done accidentally or unknowingly (Leviticus 4), but this was different. I saw. I wanted. I took. And, I hid. There is no provision for my sins—I deserve death. (Psalm 51:3-6)
There is no hope for me, so I must throw myself at the feet of the One whose love never wavers and whose mercy floods over me like an ocean (verses 1-2).
Father, wash me. Please. If You cleanse me, then I will be truly clean (verses 7-9). My efforts only smear my filth as I wring my hands in futility. But Your forgiveness removes my iniquity, renews my heart, strengthens my spirit, and returns me to a right relationship with You (verses 10-12). My best is a filthy rag (Isaiah 64:6), Your worst makes me whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7).
If You will free me from this pit of despair, from my lips will flow the glory and praise of Your name (verses 13-15).
EVERYONE, LISTEN TO ME, GOD CAN AND WILL FORGIVE YOU IF YOU ASK! YES, EVEN THAT! He will forgive even that sin. How do I know? I came to Him with my eyes on the floor because my shame was too heavy to lift them. All I had was my broken spirit, my repentant heart, and my most disgusting sin before Him (verses 16-17).
He looked at all of it. ALL of it. Then He lifted my chin, so my eyes could meet His, and in them I found the forgiveness that blots out sin. With a strong, gentle voice, the Father whispered to me, “[A]s far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).
True for David . . . true for me . . . true for you.
Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever committed a sin so great it's hard for you to believe God will forgive you? How does David's story of forgiveness after committing his worst sin comfort you?
2. Psalm 51 represents a pattern for believers when they sin: ask God for forgiveness, confess your sin, repent (turn) from your sin, tell others about the forgiveness God has granted you. How have you seen this pattern provide freedom for others? How about in your own life?
3. This psalm clearly teaches we should declare to others the righteousness of God and His forgiveness. Take a moment right now to "Shout for joy because of [His] forgiveness" (see verse 14, NSV).