January 11th
THE PSALMS
Theme: Repentance and Restoration.
Background: The aftermath of David’s sins of adultery and murder.
51:7 “Purge me with hyssop; and I will be clean…” There was no atonement in the Law to cover David’s sins (Lev 20:10; Num 35:31-32), he could only appeal to God’s mercy to gain a sense of relief by forgiveness. He used a variety of Hebrew words to plead for mercy:
“blot out” - erase his debt of sin (vs 1); “wash me” - beat out of me the stains (vs 2); “purge me” - remove all traces of sin in every form (vs 7). This brought God’s forgiveness and healing of the spirit (vs 10-12) and emotions (vs 8,12,14,15) and body (vs 8).
THE PSALMS
Psalm 49-53
Psalm 51
Psalm 51
Create for me a pure heart, O God! Renew a resolute spirit within me!
Psalm 51:10, The NET Bible
Theme: Repentance and Restoration.
Background: The aftermath of David’s sins of adultery and murder.
51:6 “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart”
David after months of covering his sins finally unburdened his conscience in utter transparency (Ps 32:1-5). What humility for a king to admit his heinous sins. Other rulers of the past and present would have undoubtedly avoided exposure at all costs to maintain their public persona.51:7 “Purge me with hyssop; and I will be clean…” There was no atonement in the Law to cover David’s sins (Lev 20:10; Num 35:31-32), he could only appeal to God’s mercy to gain a sense of relief by forgiveness. He used a variety of Hebrew words to plead for mercy:
“blot out” - erase his debt of sin (vs 1); “wash me” - beat out of me the stains (vs 2); “purge me” - remove all traces of sin in every form (vs 7). This brought God’s forgiveness and healing of the spirit (vs 10-12) and emotions (vs 8,12,14,15) and body (vs 8).
51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
Only God can create (‘bara” as in Genesis 1) a new heart (inner spirit). No matter how much will-power and effort I use to get rid of an ongoing sin, I will inevitably fall on my face yet again unless God’s Spirit creates the “new man”. “Create” is not mere correction, amendment, or repair! (Jer 24:7; Ezek 36:25-27) God could not receive broken animals at the temple but is so happy to welcome broken sinners! (vs 17)______________________________
Psalm 51: Cleanse me (vs 2-7); Restore me (vs 8-12); Use me (vs 13-19).
Psalm 51: Cleanse me (vs 2-7); Restore me (vs 8-12); Use me (vs 13-19).
