Psalm 51: Repentance

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
 
Meditation
Repentance for sin reveals a heart trusting Jesus and His work more than we trust our own work. True penitence is the pathway to praise Jesus for salvation (13). God’s Word guides our path of repentance, transforming our darkest hour of conviction with the light of hope from His salvation.
 
Nathan the prophet confronted David after his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12).  David’s steps of repentance are a Spirit inspired path of renewal, teaching God’s people the rhythm of regular repentance through Calling, Confessing, Celebration (of restoration), Worship, and Intercession:
 
Call (1-2): When God’s word convicts us of sin, we call upon God for His grace and mercy- “Wash me from my sin!”
 
Confession (3-5): We are secure in the gospel to confess our sins against God. Confession is an invitation throughout Scripture (see 1 John 1:9) because God’s grace is the center of our faith, securing believers in Christ’s salvation for confession.
 
Restoration (6-12): Restoration of relationship through cleansing and purifying leads to rejoicing and gladness! A new heart and renewed Spirit signify the restoration of the joy in our salvation!
 
Worship (13-17): Repentance reveals God’s path for salvation through the finished work of Jesus- His Grace is greater than all our sin (Romans 5:20). Worship flows from renewed hearts both vertically to our saving God and horizontally through our lives.
 
Intercession (18-19): David ends by praying for city renewal. A renewed heart with renewed worship takes our eyes off ourselves and cultivates a longing to see restoration in our community.
 
God invites you to deeper gospel shaping through learning regular repentance.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Pray the words of Psalm 51 for yourself, allowing the language to be lyrics for your repentance.
 
-Which section of the Psalm speaks loudest to you, both convicting you and inviting you towards repentance?
 
-How does the finished work of Jesus give you security to repent and confidence to teach others this path of repentance towards restoration?
 
 
Key Verse
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me…. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.