The 51st Psalm is an incredible psalm. If you are a person of faith in Christ, you understand that you allow Christ to shape and direct how you think, feel and act. The book of Psalms is filled with reflections upon the emotions and behavior that permeate our lives. But more than just reflecting, it provides a path for transformation. The Psalm confront us with our sin, demands sincere repentance, then frees us to offer praise. How should I then live?
The Setting is Startling
The more we are able to reconstruct the setting for a psalm, the easier it will be to relate to its words and to apply its teaching to our own lives. What circumstances affected the life of the author to prompt the writing of its words?
David’s Psalm of Penitence and Praise
Most scholars agree that Psalm 51 is a psalm of David. Charles Spurgeon wrote “writers have been found to deny David’s authorship of this Psalm, but their objections are frivolous, the Psalm is David like all over.” G. Campbell Morgan offered, “This great song, pulsating with the agony of a sin-stricken soul, helps us understand the stupendous wonder of the everlasting mercy of our God.”
For the Choir Director
The heading title for the Psalm says it is “to the chief musician.” About 55 psalms carry a similar introduction. Old Testament scholar Franz Delitzsch commented that “at the head of the Psalms, it is commonly understood of the director of the Temple-music.” These psalms were composed for use in the sanctuary in public worship.
A Private Affair
Additional titles identify the Psalm as a song of David. The notes also indicate the psalm arose following the days when Nathan the Prophet approached David after his affair with Bathsheba. Deep inside we want sins to be secret. We cringe at the thought of “airing our dirty laundry,” but can you imagine having your sins sung in worship? This part of David’s story unfolds in 2 Samuel 11:1-27 and 2 Samuel 12:1-25. David writes this psalm as a broken and sorrowful king.
Why Do We Worship?
When we approach God in worship, we attempt to “give God the glory.” We understand that He deserves adoration and praise, specifically for what He has accomplished for us. A large portion of giving Him glory understands and agrees with His purposes in creation and in the lives of His people. Notice the personal train of thought of Israel’s king.
Sin and Guilt Overshadow Me
The Message translation of the Bible speaks words centuries old with vigor and passion. “Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry. I know how bad I’ve been; my sins are staring me down” (Psalm 51:2-3 MESSAGE). The man after God’s own heart had come to his senses. Sin damages everything about me – my relationships, my reputation, my faith. Offenses walk with you down the hallway. Transgression shouts over you at the podium. Sin chases you down where you hide. “Be careful your sins will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 ESV). We must come face-to-face with our sins before we sincerely bow our knees to the Lord. The psalm gives real insight into the process and act of sincere repentance.
Violations are Against God
“You’re the One I’ve violated, and you’ve seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil. You have all the facts before you; whatever you decide about me is fair. I’ve been out of step with you for a long time, in the wrong since the day I was born. What you’re after is truth from the inside out” (Psalm 51:4-6 MESSAGE). Sin will affect our relationships and our lives, but the evil that we have done is against more than our neighbor. It violates our trust and dependence upon God. Like Adam and Eve, we hear God walking in the cool of the evening and we instinctively hide.
The Heart of My Worship is Praise
A favorite worship song of the last several decades, Matt Redman‘s The Heart of Worship echoes the sentiments of David’s song. When we boil down things away from the glitter and the glow, all that worship affords centers on Jesus – who He is and what He has done. David focuses our thoughts in a familiar verse, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10 ESV). Listen to how the Message translates the verse:
God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
The thoughts of the rest of the passage resonate with meaning through the words of the Message:
God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don’t throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!
Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
so the lost can find their way home.
Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
and I’ll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
Unbutton my lips, dear God;
I’ll let loose with your praise (Psalm 51:10-15 MESSAGE).
When I consider my sins, my habits and preferences toward evil, and my clear lack of will-power, and then I understand that You still love me enough to
forgive my sins
send your Son to atone
bring salvation to me
even when I am hiding.
Then I can do nothing but teach others your ways, helping the lost find their way home.
I will sing your anthems,
glories
grace
and your desires to bring life.
Unbutton my lips, dear God.
How could I possibly not be thankful?
I’ll Let Loose with Your Praise
This study is more than just a chance to wander through some of the Psalms. It is a chance to look at life and move – regardless of the circumstance – to a place of thanksgiving. It is my desire to move past the inconveniences and restrictions of the pandemic. The soul needs to set aside the strife and turmoil of the political election. The spirit mourns the loss of loved ones under dire conditions. There must be a way to find community when I am quarantined. In the midst of sin and chaos, God steps forth with peace and salvation. Silent no longer, my lips burst forth with praise.
Share Your Prayer Requests
Add your prayer or praise by using the form on the left. Use the form on the right to see the list of active prayer requests & record your willingness to pray. |