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.
DAvid understands at this point what a big deal his sin was against God…and Uriah…and Bathsheba. It is safe to say that this was written after Uriah’s death, because David is not trying to cover anything up anymore.
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.
Ok, according to this paragraph David only realizes that he’s sinned against God. Which is important to be able to understand as a human. He’s not thinking about the other people he hurt too. I mean, he had Uriah killed.
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.
And The Lord would do that all the more if we would really pay attention.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Hyssop is an evergreen plant that originally grew in southern Europe, the Middle East and central Asia. It’s classified as a garden herb, and is part of the mint family.
The hyssop plant is a perennial, which means it can survive for several years, with at least some new growth on it each season. It grows to about 1 1/2 feet in height, and in summer its flowers bloom in different colors, such as violet, white and red.
The valuable flavoring and medicinal properties of hyssop have been known for centuries. Its distinctive bitter taste adds a warmth to foods like salads, fish, meat and vegetables. And it has been used as an ingredient in desserts, honey, and even in certain liquors. More about it here.
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.
God is huge on the whole sinners turning back thing. He never gives up.
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[b] 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.
This is not to be confused with what Prosperity Gospel people are after.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
David doesn’t want to stay a sinner forever. God doesn’t want that for him either. Same could be said for us too.
IIWAC: Psalm 51
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.
DAvid understands at this point what a big deal his sin was against God…and Uriah…and Bathsheba. It is safe to say that this was written after Uriah’s death, because David is not trying to cover anything up anymore.
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.
Ok, according to this paragraph David only realizes that he’s sinned against God. Which is important to be able to understand as a human. He’s not thinking about the other people he hurt too. I mean, he had Uriah killed.
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.
And The Lord would do that all the more if we would really pay attention.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Hyssop is an evergreen plant that originally grew in southern Europe, the Middle East and central Asia. It’s classified as a garden herb, and is part of the mint family.
The hyssop plant is a perennial, which means it can survive for several years, with at least some new growth on it each season. It grows to about 1 1/2 feet in height, and in summer its flowers bloom in different colors, such as violet, white and red.
The valuable flavoring and medicinal properties of hyssop have been known for centuries. Its distinctive bitter taste adds a warmth to foods like salads, fish, meat and vegetables. And it has been used as an ingredient in desserts, honey, and even in certain liquors. More about it here.
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.
God is huge on the whole sinners turning back thing. He never gives up.
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[b] 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.
This is not to be confused with what Prosperity Gospel people are after.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
David doesn’t want to stay a sinner forever. God doesn’t want that for him either. Same could be said for us too.
Scripture Discussed: Psalm 51