Psalm 51: 1 Have mercy on 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 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.
King David’s journey is marked by triumphs and trials, with one pivotal moment that stands out—the story of his sin with Bathsheba. Psalm 51 and other passages provide profound insights into David’s repentance, the depths of God’s mercy, and the transformative power of seeking forgiveness. I want us to consider today the events and emotions that led to the song of brokenness and forgiveness. This is a very sad song with a powerful ending that carries us through the emotions of the writer. I have chosen the title “Ever Before Me” as David is overwhelmed by his failure and God’s forgiveness. We must “find ourselves” in his song. You may find this post familiar today but as with any song, we listen more than once. Today is a verse-by-verse study of the Psalm to help us reflect on what is “Ever Before” us today.
The Weight of Sin
Psalm 51:3 (ESV): “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.”
This verse reflects a continuous awareness of personal wrongdoing—a burden that weighs heavily on the heart. David’s transparency invites us to consider our confession and acknowledgment of sin. This penitent prayer can help us to find truth and forgiveness. Let’s begin with verse 1 and work our way through the expressions of David.
Verse 1:
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”
David begins with a plea for mercy, acknowledging God’s steadfast love and abundant mercy. He recognizes the need for forgiveness and requests the erasure of his transgressions.
Verse 2:
“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!”
David uses vivid imagery, appealing to God to thoroughly cleanse him from the stain of his iniquity. The repetition emphasizes the depth of his desire for purification.
Verse 3:
“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.”
David openly confesses his awareness of his transgressions, indicating a deep sense of remorse. The constant awareness of his sin weighs heavily on him.
Verse 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.”
David acknowledges that ultimately, all sin is against God. While his actions affected others, the primary offense was against the righteous and holy God. He recognizes the just nature of God’s judgment.
Verse 5:
“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
David reflects on the pervasive nature of sin, acknowledging its presence from his very conception. This verse underscores the universality of human sinfulness.
Verse 6:
“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”
David expresses an understanding of God’s desire for truth and wisdom within. He recognizes that God desires sincerity and integrity in the depths of the heart.
Verse 7:
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
David uses symbolic language, invoking the ritual cleansing associated with hyssop in the Old Testament. He longs to be purified to a state of pristine whiteness.
Verse 8:
“Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.”
David yearns for spiritual restoration and renewal. He desires to experience joy and gladness, even in the midst of acknowledging the brokenness caused by his sin.
Verse 9:
“Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.”
David pleads for God’s forgiveness, asking for the concealment of his sins and the complete removal of his iniquities.
Verse 10:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
This verse encapsulates David’s ultimate plea—a transformation of his inner being. He desires a heart purified and a spirit renewed by God.
Verse 11:
“Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.”
David expresses his fear of separation from God’s presence. He recognizes the importance of the Holy Spirit in his relationship with God.
Verse 12:
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”
David longs for the restoration of the joy that comes from a right relationship with God. He seeks the sustaining support of a willing and obedient spirit.
Verse 13:
“Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.”
In response to God’s mercy, David commits to a life of teaching others about God’s ways. He anticipates that his repentance will have a positive influence on those who have strayed.
Verse 14:
“Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.”
David pleads for deliverance from the guilt associated with his sinful actions. He promises to respond with joyful praise, declaring God’s righteousness.
Verse 15:
“O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.”
David seeks divine intervention to enable him to praise God openly. He desires a renewed ability to declare God’s goodness and mercy.
Verse 16:
“For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.”
David acknowledges that mere external rituals or sacrifices are not sufficient to atone for his sin. God desires a broken and contrite heart.
Verse 17:
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
This verse emphasizes the essence of true worship—a broken and contrite heart. God values genuine repentance and humility more than ritualistic offerings.
Verse 18:
“Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem.”
In the broader context, David extends his prayer beyond personal restoration, seeking God’s favor and protection for the community, represented by Zion and Jerusalem.
Verse 19:
“Then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.”
David anticipates a time of restored worship and fellowship with God when sacrifices will be offered with sincerity and a right heart.
Acknowledge My Sin – Confess
Psalm 32:5 (ESV): “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”
Confession is the gateway to God’s mercy and forgiveness, as David’s journey illustrates. We must first agree with God and then turn from our sin toward God.
God’s Response to a Repentant Heart
2 Samuel 12:13 (ESV): “David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.'”
This interaction encapsulates the divine willingness to forgive and restore when we turns back to God.
The Assurance of Forgiveness
Psalm 103:10-12 (ESV): “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities…”
These verses emphasize God’s mercy and forgiveness, highlighting the removal of sins when one genuinely repents.
Lessons for Us
The journey of repentance and forgiveness, vividly portrayed in David’s story, resonates with timeless truths. As we reflect on the weight of our transgressions, let us be encouraged by the power of confession, the compassionate response of God, and the assurance of complete forgiveness.
Continuing Themes – Emotions and God’s Response
Other Things “Ever Before” David:
- Temptation:
- Believers may be vigilant against recurring temptations, seeking God’s help to resist.
- Shame:
- The awareness of sin often accompanies shame, emphasizing the need for forgiveness and restoration.
- Sadness:
- The resulting sadness or remorse could be a constant companion as a consequence of recognizing the gravity of wrongdoing.
- Broken Heart:
- A broken heart may be “ever before” as an emotional state accompanying the acknowledgment of sin.
- Consequences: The consequences of sin may continue for many years. In the case of David, the repercussions were for the rest of his life.
- God’s Grace: Even though David was reminded often of his past by the behavior of his family and the loss of his children, the grace of God was sufficient to comfort him. We see his heart of communion all through the Psalms.
God’s Grace to David:
While God may have been displeased with David’s sin, there is evidence of forgiveness and restoration when David turned to God in genuine repentance.
In times of repentance, let Psalm 51 be our guide and Psalm 32:7 (ESV) be our anthem: “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.” May we find solace in God’s unfailing love and experience the freedom that comes from a heart renewed and reconciled.