Dealing with Sin Again

Last week, we examined David’s significant sin—the one that would affect him for the rest of his life. He found himself in places and actions he shouldn’t have been in, losing sight of his faith and becoming entangled in a web of sexual sin and cover-up. We discovered that David did not initially turn to God in repentance when he realized his wrongdoing, which is a common response when we know we are wrong. However, God sent Nathan to confront David and bring him face to face with his sin. Today, we will explore Psalm 51, a psalm written by David or for David after Nathan’s rebuke.

Psalm 51 - A Prayer of Repentance

Psalm 51, a beautiful prayer of repentance, was written by David after Nathan confronted him regarding his adultery with Bathsheba. In this psalm, David cries out to God, seeking mercy and forgiveness for his transgressions. Let’s read Psalm 51 together.

Psalm 51 (NIV)

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15 Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.
18 May it please you to prosper Zion,
    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
    in burnt offerings offered whole;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Seeking God’s Mercy

In this psalm, David pleads for God’s mercy, according to His unfailing love and great compassion. As we reflect on Psalm 51, we realize the incredible gift we have in Jesus, who blots out our transgressions and washes us whiter than snow. Let us never take for granted the sacrificial act of God, who came down to live

a perfect life under the Law so that we, who cannot, can put on His righteousness and be made clean. Through Jesus, we are justified before the Father and made right with God legally. While we are freed from the eternal punishment of our sins, David’s story reminds us that we still have to face the consequences of our actions.

Consequences of Sin

After Nathan confronted David, he revealed some of the consequences of his sin. In 2 Samuel 12, we learn that the sword would never depart from David’s house because he despised God and took Uriah’s wife as his own. This violence and turmoil within his household are evident in the subsequent chapters of 2 Samuel. Additionally, Nathan prophesied that calamity would come upon David from within his own household, leading to the taking of his wives and public humiliation. David’s child from Bathsheba also dies at a young age, further demonstrating the consequences of his sin.

The Need for Restoration

Psalm 51 also reveals that God doesn’t delight in sacrifices or burnt offerings. We cannot work our way to cover up our sins or earn forgiveness through our actions. Karma, a concept popularized in Hinduism and Buddhism, which suggests that good deeds outweigh bad deeds, cannot save us. Sin is sin, and its punishment is death. However, through Jesus, God’s love for us is displayed as He sent His Son to die and take away the punishment of our sins.

Restoring Relationships

While confessing our sins to God and receiving justification is vital, it does not automatically restore our relationships. David understood this and prayed for purification, asking God to cleanse him and create a pure heart within him. Similarly, we need to take steps to restore our relationships with God, ourselves, and others. This may involve seeking forgiveness, repenting, seeking counsel, and removing temptations from our lives.

Next Steps

As we examine David’s repentance, let us reflect on our own lives. Do we need to restore relationships today? Are there areas of sin that have corrupted our lives and relationships? Take the necessary steps to confess, seek forgiveness, and pursue healing. Let us pray for God’s grace and mercy as we strive to live a life that honors Him.