![]() The psalm asks for God to do whole lot but it all builds off the theme of the opening verse, The whole structure of the prayer is in the asking mode. The problem is a self that has broken relationship with God and with other people because of sin and needs the renewal that can only come through God’s grace and re-creation. The problem is within, in him and he knows it and he says so. This is refreshing because it is so rare in our time. Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.” There is no complaint against Bathsheba or Uriah or God, there is no passing the buck, no ducking or denying there is no stepping and fetching, there is no blaming genes or environment or someone else. “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Anderson wrote, “The sentence that is basic to all penitential prayer in the Old Testament is the simple confession, ‘I have sinned.’” Psalm 51 is the fullest exposition of that sentence in the Bible.” One of the things I truly appreciate about Psalm 51 is that David fully admits and accepts responsibility for the wrong he did, and says it is his fault. If I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.ġ7 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit Ī broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.Īnd put a new and right spirit within me.ġ1 Do not cast me away from your presence,Īnd do not take your holy spirit from me.ġ2 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,ġ3 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,Īnd my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. ![]() Therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.ħ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean So that you are justified in your sentence ![]() Psalm 51 conveys David’s desire for mercy and cleansing in such an eloquent way that it has been used and said by countless people through the centuries who have sought God’s mercy, renewal, and hope after they have sinned. Earlier in the service you heard the scripture from 2 Samuel 11:27-12:15 (this is included at the end of this message) that recounted King David’s sins of lust, adultery, and murder as he violated about half of the Ten Commandments. A Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. ![]() If you look in your Bible there should be a superscription or title to Psalm 51, that says, To the leader. Sometimes our greatest battles are fought internally. In these Psalms the affliction which people plead for deliverance from is a heavy and deep sense of guilt because sometimes the enemy is not “out there” in the world but is present “in here” in the depths of our own being. *Note – For those not present for worship, we put on the screen, “Which weighs more?” followed by a picture of an aircraft carrier, then a skyscraper, a mountain, and finally the word GUILT.Īccording to a tradition that goes back to the Middle Ages, seven psalms are considered penitential psalms ( 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143). The word “penitent” means, “expressing or feeling regret or sorrow for having committed sins or misdeeds.” Guilt is good when it leads to penitence and repentance, when it leads to change within us.Īugust 8, 2010: Psalm 51 – Create in Me a Clean Heart Guilt is good when it causes us to be penitent. ![]() Guilt – the awareness of having done wrong accompanied by feelings of shame and regret – is a powerful emotion, but guilt isn’t helpful if it doesn’t lead to a change in our thinking, behavior, or speech. Today’s subject is heavy.* The weight of guilt for things we have done or not done, for things we have said or failed to say can be overwhelming and crushing. ![]()
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