Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:10, 12 ESV
Psalm 51. This is one of my all time favourite psalms and scriptures. Ever since I heard it sung by Sons of Korah many years ago, I fell in love with it. Just the beauty of repentance and longing for salvation combined with the complete trust that God was not only able to forgive but also willing. When you look at the context in which this psalm was written it makes the forgiveness all the more incredible. This psalm was written by David after the prophet Nathan confronts him about the disaster with Bathsheba. David had sinned on many levels, possibly every level. He had lusted after another man’s wife, slept with her, and then when the husband wouldn’t betray his fellow soldiers by enjoying the comforts of home (ie his wife and hide David’s sin), David has him carry the orders for his own death.
What on earth could possess a “man after God’s own heart” to act in such a way? To be honest I have no idea. I believe it comes back to the concept of fleeing lust, lest it rule over you and consume you. While it does not explain why, this psalm does show us two important things.
Firstly it makes a very important point, in verse 4, David says, “Against you only have I sinned…”. All sin is directly against God. No matter what has been done to a particular individual, the perpetrator has first and foremost sinned against God and therefore will be held accountable to Him.
Secondly, it shows us part of the reason why David was a man after God’s own heart. Yes David clearly sinned so obviously this title didn’t mean David was perfect but rather he understood who he was and who God was. When David realised what he had done, he repented and he repented hard. As you listen to the words of this psalm it is impossible not to feel David’s longing to be made right with God once again. He fully acknowledges his sin and God’s justice in judgement towards him. But then, David goes on to declare the wonder of God’s salvation and a hope that God will uphold him in the future.
So in summary, if you are able to get past, what some call the depressing backdrop of Psalm 51 and study the beautiful words and themes here, I hope you can find the hope and comfort here that I do.
♡
Musings by Tee 