Psalm 51

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.

Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight-- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.

Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart–

These, O God, You will not despise.

Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem.

Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

Background: David’s Sin

II Samuel 11-12

Confrontation between

Nathan and David

“…and be sure your sin will find you out.”

Led to…

David’s Song of Repentence

Problem #1: Sins Committed

For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.

For David, The Victory started with Confession of Sin

It is Dangerous to Play around with Sin

>>David’s Request: Forgive My Sins

Blot out my transgressions…

Solution: Jesus Forgives

Because of Jesus’ Death on the Cross we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

The Voice of Victory:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Problem #2: Inherited Sin

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

Original Sin … We all have Inherited it

There Is A Problem On The Inside

You desire truth in the inward parts

>>David’s Request: Purify my heart

Create in me a clean heart, O God…

Solution: Sanctification

Christ…loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her …

The Voice of Victory:

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely…He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Problem #3: Lost Fellowship

Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Sin Blocks Fellowship with God

The Connection was Broken

>>David’s Request:

Restore the Benefits of Salvation:

Presence, Joy, Boldness

Solution: The Holy Spirit

The Voice of Victory:

the Helper, the Holy Spirit … will teach you all things

 the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses…

Problem #4: Sacrifice Is Not Enough

For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it

No Atoning Sacrifices Prescribed For Deliberate Sins

>>David’s Request:

Take my Brokenness

The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. O God, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful heart.

Solution: Righteousness by Faith

a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ

The Voice of Victory:

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

There was Victory for David

Victory:

Jesus’ Blood Covers our Sin

We have the Gift of Salvation by Faith

We are Empowered to be Witnesses

We are Called to Holiness