February 21, 2024
Plea of the Guilty #
Psalm 51:1-6
Introduction
Among the 150 Psalms, there are relatively few with Titles as specific as this one. We will see in the next 10 Psalms some of the others with very specific Titles. These titles specify the exact circumstances to which the Psalm is written, which clearly gives us insight about what is going on in the life of the Psalmist.
2 Samuel 11 very clearly explains to us what happened in the life of David. Extensive study and time has been devoted to these chapters in the Bible, with volumes being written on them, as as well as countless hours of messages having been preached on these chapters in the Bible. We will just briefly state that David committed adultery with Bathsheba. He tried to cover it all up, which failed. We see that David then committed murder, and married the woman he had adultery with, in an effort to hide his initial sin.
Prov. 28:13 ¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
You cannot hide your sin from God! God sends Nathan the prophet to call out David’s wicked sins. David repents, and writes this Psalm, Psalm 51.
Because of what is asked, we can note three things about sin,
1. Sin Distances you from God
2. Sin Deprives you of Joy
3. Sin Deadens your service to God!
I. Plea for Forgiveness (1-6) #
A. Asking for Forgiveness (1-2, 7) #
1. Mercy – not getting what you deserve! #
- Pleads for MERCY – acknowledges wrong doing, accepts the fault, and responsibility, asking for a reprieve, release from the responsibility of wrong doing.
2. Merit of God (not his own) #
3. Cleansing (1c-2) “throughly” = completely, entirely #
1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
B. Acknowledging Fault (3-4) #
Prov. 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
1. Accept responsibility (3a) “transgressionS” plural #
2. Scar of sin (3b) #
C. Admittance of flawed sinner (5-6) #
1. Inherently Lost Sinner (5) #
2. Clean, inside and out! (6) Not just outward! #
II. Plea for Joy (7-12) #
A. Joy from Cleansing (7-8) #
1. Purging & Hyssop – Hyssop was used in several ceremonial cleansings #
2. Most people like to be clean! #
3. Broken bones symbolic of the pain from reprimand, but notice the joy now from them! #
Prov. 22:15 ¶ Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
B. Joy from knowing sins are gone (9) #
C. Joy from a right spirit (10) internal! #
D. Joy from presence of God (11) – Saul… God departed from him. #
III. Plea for Usefulness (13-19) #
A. Usefulness happens after Forgiveness & Restoration. (13) #
1. You cannot teach if you have not confessed, and been cleansed! #
B. Singing from Deliverance (14) #
- Exodus 14, the nation of Israel was brought across the Red Sea, Exodus 15, is a song joyous celebration
Ex. 15:1 ¶ Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
C. Praising comes from a restored relationship! (15) #
D. Usefulness is from a Broken submitted heart and life (16-19) #
Sin Distances you from God’s Presence. - Jesus Restores
Sin Deprives Joy from your life. - Jesus Restores your joy
Sin Deadens your Service to God. - Jesus Restores Service