Psalm 51
by Geno Pyse
To understand Psalm 51, it helps to know the context in which it was written. The prophet Nathan, by using a story, confronted King David with his sins of adultery and murder (see 2 Sam. 12:1-15). David could no longer hide the guilt and turmoil he was trying to bury and hide. Nathan told him that the Lord forgave him and that he would not die; however, there would be some terrible consequences because of his sins. David was overwhelmed by his guilt and shame. He saw the true evil of his actions that came about from the darkness of his own heart. This man, although a king, stood completely naked, transparent, and helpless before the King and Sovereign God. David knew that mere religious rituals were of no benefit—but hope was not lost.
What is striking about this psalm is David’s response. For sure, he desired God’s mercy, but this was not the heart of his desire. Although he knew painful consequences awaited, David desired something else even more than the avoidance of these. More than anything else, David desired for intimacy with God to be restored. The heart of true penitence is having the relationship and intimacy with God restored.
In the life of David, we read of some amazing accounts of faith and strength; however, on numerous occasions we also read of a man who was greatly flawed. But despite all his flaws, very few people, I argue, had as deep of a desire for God as him (who else has God referred to as a “man after his own heart”?) Still, David’s sin(s) had broken intimacy with God, but Psalm 51 gives us “signposts” along the path leading to restored intimacy with God.
The First Signpost: Humility
David showed humility in at least three ways: 1) He was willing to be corrected (even by a person of a lower position); 2) He recognized God was the one in charge, not him; David was but a servant to the Sovereign King over everything; 3) David admitted he was not only wrong, but he was guilty of sin.
If we would truly have intimacy with God, we must be willing to be corrected—even if God uses those we feel as inferior to us (child, employee, student, etc.). Proverbs 1:7 says “fools despise wisdom and correction.” Also, we must be willing to realize that God is God, and we are not. He calls all the shots, we do not. And if He says that we have sinned, we must see it as the same—sin.
Too often we do not want to be confronted by those we deem as inferior, or to really see certain things as sinful as God does. And it cramps our style to admit that we are not only wrong, but that we have sinned. But humility is necessary, if we truly desire intimacy with God.
The Second Signpost: Honesty.
David was honest about his wrongful actions. Not only did he not make excuses, (e.g., “Well, what was she doing bathing on the rooftop?” or “Well, if Uriah would have just went to his wife as a normal husband would do!”) No, but David not only owned up to his sins that he committed on his own accord, but also acknowledged they were evil in God’s sight. They weren’t simply poor choices or mistakes, they were evil. Furthermore, David admitted that God does not take delight in mere religious activities (sacrifices and burnt offerings), or else he would perform them. Rather, God desires something far deeper and more significant.
Too often, we like to make excuses, deflect, or minimize our sins. We call them “poor choices,” “mistakes,” or “mess-ups.” We say we are only human, and we are “broken.” But how often will we simply own up and call our actions what they are—sin and evil in the eyes of Almighty God? We like to think God is impressed with our church attendance, Bible reading, prayers, and other church stuff, as though He makes light of our sins because of these and calls it all good. But what David points out is what God takes true delight in is a genuine broken spirit and broken and contrite heart. We often like to use the word of being “broken,” but it is debatable as to how much we truly are.
To refuse to call our wrong actions sin is to be dishonest, to try to put our hands over ourselves to hide our nakedness. But dishonesty holds hands with lying and deception. Unless we truly agree with God (to confess) the way He sees our sins, intimacy will be hindered. Intimacy requires brutal honesty and genuine brokenness. The sacrifice God will not reject is a broken spirit and a broken, contrite heart.
The Third Signpost: Honing
David acknowledged his inner depravity—that he was conceived in sin; that is, he was born sinful. He was not making excuses, but he was admitting that he was helpless to do what was necessary to have closeness to God. His sins created a riff. David pleaded to God blot out his transgressions, to wash him from iniquity, and cleanse him from sin. He begged God to purge him and restore him. In verse 10, David cries out, “Create in me a clean heart.” The Hebrew word for create, here, is the word bara. It is the same word used in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created (bara)….” It is a word where God is the subject of the creating; that is, only God can bara. David is pleading to God that He will do a divine, supernatural work in him, because he is unable to change himself (just as we are unable to change ourselves).
For us today, we are not able to cause ourselves to be “born again,” nor are we able to cleanse or sanctify ourselves. These are supernatural works of God. But we can certainly ask for these things, but are we willing to let God do what is necessary? Is intimacy with Him worth it?
The main idea: The deep desire of the penitent is for a relationship with God.
Next Steps
- Humble yourself—set aside all your pride; admit not only where you are wrong, but admit your sin.
- Be honest and vulnerable before God. He is not looking for perfection, but honesty.
- Yield yourself to the discomfort of the Holy Spirit’s work of conviction and purification. This will prepare you for good and beneficial work ahead.
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