Psalm 51:1-19 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving kindness… I. THE PRAYER. It was both general and specific. He desired mercy, and he desired it to be specifically manifested in several ways, which he enumerates. 1. The general petition. "Have mercy upon me." He did not plead right or merit; he did not plead a mitigation Of the righteous law of God. He knew exactly what he needed; and so, like the publican, he sent the arrow of his prayer straight go the mark of his need; 2. The specific petition. (1) "Blot out my transgressions." All of them; the covetousness, the adultery, the murder. To blot out carries with it the idea primarily of forgiveness (Isaiah 43:25; Isaiah 44:22). 42) "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity." This is a prayer for justification, as the former petition was for forgiveness. Forgiveness is an act of the gracious and sovereign will of God; but to justify a man from his iniquity is to do so on the ground of some expiation. Hence David's allusion to the ceremonial law (ver. 7). (Compare Leviticus 14:4, 9; Numbers 19:18; Hebrews 9:22.) The allusion may be illuminated if we remember the word of Isaiah to sinful Israel (Isaiah 1:18), and the ascription of praise to the Lord Jesus (Revelation 1:5). (3) "Cleanse me from my sin." This is a prayer for sanctification. Sin is an offence against God, against the law, and it leaves a stain deep and dark on our souls. God's mercy provides for this also, and we are assured of such Cleansing (Ephesians 5:25-27). II. THE CONFESSION. 1. Frank acknowledgment. No excuses; no justification. "I have sinned" — that is the long and the short of it. He did not lay the blame on Bathsheba, as Adam on Eve. 2. A standing offence. Unforgiven sin is before us and before God; but forgiven sin is cast behind God's back, and is among the things upon which we also may turn our backs. 3. An offence against God. God was more wronged even than man, and while no doubt he sorrowed that he had wronged his friend and his friend's wife, he most bitterly grieved that he had wronged God in them. 4. Deep conviction. "Behold I was shapes in iniquity," etc. David is convinced that an inherent depravity of nature is the evil root from which all sin springs. So herein he confesses his sinful nature as well as his sinful deeds. It is out of the heart that all evil proceeds. Hence his further prayer, "Behold Thou desirest truth in the inward parts," etc. In this we have a strong hint of regeneration. The nature that is spoiled by sin must be renewed inwardly. III. RENEWED PETITION. He repeats his prayer for purging and washing, just as oftentimes, even after we are forgiven, the memory of the bitter sins still remains, and we are in some doubt whether it is all gone. It is like the burning of a wound that is healed. It is the sign of returning health; the desire of the soul for an after. bath in the cleansing tide. 1. Joy and gladness. 2. He prays for a new heart. 3. He prays for the restoration of salvation's joy. 4. A vow of consecration. (G. F. Pentecost, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: {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. |
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