Psalm 51--Part Four

So we come to Psalm 51. The inspired heading tells us that this is David’s response to his sin with Bathsheba.

David opens by saying, “Be gracious to me O God according to thy loving-kindness.” David understands that it is only by grace and mercy that he is forgiven—it is not by his deeds. Many times church people become confused as to how saints in the Old Testament were saved. This OT believer understood grace. David understands he is depraved from birth. 51:5 says: “I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin my mother conceived me.” Total depravity does not just come from the Apostle Paul—we see it all through the Scriptures.

51:1-6 uses four different words for sin. Plasha which means “transgression.” Avon which means iniquity. Hatah which means sin. Rah which means evil. In 51:3, David says, “For I know my transgressions.” The word “to know” or yadah, means to have an intimate understanding and relationship. Adam and Eve knew each other—not in a mere intellectual sense, but in all ways. Adam knew his wife physically, morally, spiritually, and intellectually. David says, “I know my transgressions. I have an intimate relationship with my sin.” Can you relate to this? We all have an intimate relationship with our sin struggles. This statement is profound. In many cases, the sins "own us" if not for the grace of God.

In 51: 4, David accepts the justice of God. “Against thee, thee only have I sinned, so that thou art justified when you speak and blameless when thou dost judge.” When God brings His wrath against a person it is deserving wrath. Grace is undeserving, but wrath is deserving. We are often told we preach too much about sin at Glasgow--we are told to be more positive. David understands grace properly—you cannot understand grace without understanding the depth of your sin. How deep, sinister, and grotesque our sin is. David understands the depths of our total depravity. Instead of "knowing" or being intimate with our sins, wouldn't life be much more positive if we were intimate with a knowledge and worship of Yahweh? That is the path to "your best life now"--a recognition and confession of our insidious sins.

I would love your interactions and feedback. Please post here or email me privately at clbetters@grpc.org. Part Five coming soon.