Psalm 51: A song for Repentance

A Psalm of David?

Is this a Psalm of David?

Some argue against, uncertain, I like to think so

Either way, the Psalm asks us to have David’s story in mind

A man of God fallen

David as model for disgraced leaders/pious people in our own experiences

No one is too holy to fall in to sin

Christian perfection and perseverance

Saul vs. David

Difference between the two is response to sin: arrogance or humility

David models not only fall to sin, but return to God after

David’s model of repentance offers a threefold way back to God

Confession

Beginning of repentance is confession, i.e. admission of guilt

David does not try to blame God

David does not try to lay blame on anyone else, He is solely at fault

Whether or not someone else is at fault, playing the blame game is often a way we try to mitigate what we’ve done. True repentance, however, makes a full acknowledgement of our own faults.

The New Revised Standard Version Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon

Have mercy on me

Confession must be done also with an understanding of gravity

Sin has cut David off from God

David cannot fix what he has broken on his own. Only by God’s favor, חנן, (grace), can this be made right

David must rely solely on God’s “steadfast love and abundant mercy”

What exactly is wrong, though?

The New Revised Standard Version Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon

blot out my transgressions

Guilt

The New Revised Standard Version Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin

Impurity, sin leaves stains behind on the soul

Sin leaves a mark that continues to weigh on us

The New Revised Standard Version Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon

Against you, you alone, have I sinned,

Really?

Sin is obviously not only against God, but also Uriah and Bathsheeba

Even so, David acknowledges that every sin is ultimately a sin against God

Parable of the Goats (Matt 25:40)

Sin is more than just psychological, economical, ethical, and so on. Sin is first and foremost a theological problem.

All our sin must ultimately deal with God

Thus David ultimately fears that this sin will lead to the ultimate punishment: Departure of God (v.11)

The New Revised Standard Version Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon

Do not cast me away from your presence,

and do not take your holy spirit from me.

It was the spirit of God bestowed on David that gave him right to rule

David presumed on God, assuming that the Spirit that gave him authority to rule was his. On the Contrary, the Spirit is God’s Spirit.

Departure of God and the Holy Spirit ultimately means a removal of authority to rule on the earth. It means the removal of the Spirit who gives us authority even to live. Thus, sin ultimately leads to death, complete desolation, and isolation from communion with God and his people

This has obvious implications given recent events

Even more than that, though, it is a warning to all Christians who have recieved the Holy Spirit

Grace

Having thus confessed, David must now wait on God’s grace

Modes of Grace:

Justifying Grace

“blot out transgressions”

Regenerating Grace (New Birth)

"Create in me a clean heart...” (v. 10)

“Restore to me… salvation” (v. 12)

Sanctifying Grace

“teach me wisdom” (v. 6)

“Purge me with hyssop” (v. 7)

Thus God’s Grace heals the entirety of the person who confesses their sin

Justifying Grace sets us in right relationship to God, Regenerating Grace empowers us to conquer sin by removing sin in us (New Birth), and Sanctifying Grace carries us onward and further toward holiness, continuing to transform us throughout our lives by the Holy Spirit

New Life

As a result, Repentance, following Confession and God’s grace, must always lead to new life

Cannot return to the old Self (Eph 4:22-23)

The New Revised Standard Version The Old Life and the New

You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

(v. 13-15) David moves from sinner to a teacher of God’s righteousness

Lips of praise must be preceded by a penitent heart. But a penitent heart must be followed by lips of praise

Thus, this lent, let us follow in David’s path of repentance.

The New Revised Standard Version Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon

16 For you have no delight in sacrifice;

if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.

17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;

rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,

19 then you will delight in right sacrifices,

in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Repentance -> Grace and Blessing from God