Psalms 51:1-19

Psalms 51

David, in the opening of this Psalm, appeals for mercy. No penitent man ever approached God on the side of His justice. The Pharisee, indeed, appeals to righteousness; but the publican appeals for mercy.

I. "Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." Mark the thoroughness of this desire. Not only must sin be blotted out, but the sinner himself must be. washed and cleansed. There must be not merely a change of state,but a change of nature.David's words all come, as it were, from the centre of his being. There is no trifling with the surface here.

II. "For I acknowledge my transgressions." Confession is a necessary basis of forgiveness. Confession is in reality a multitudinous act; it is many acts in one; it is a convergence of right judgment, right feeling, and right action.

III. In the third verse the Psalmist uses an extraordinary expression, viz., "My sin is ever before me." The point to be noted here is the distinct personal relation which every man sustains to his own sin. It is emphatically and exclusively his own.

IV. "Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned," etc. The idea is that all sin is against. God. Whoever sins against man sins against God. Then how sacred are all human relations. Every blow struck against humanity is a blow struck against God.

V. Up to the twelfth verse the Psalmist confines his intercessions to subjects which relate immediately to his own spiritual condition; but in ver. 13 he includes others with himself: "Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways." Mark the connection between true personal holiness and true worldwide benevolence. This is the secret of all evangelistic movement. The work begins in personal consecration. Ver. 17 shows that all sacrifice is worthless which is not vitalised by the moral element.

Parker, Wednesday Evenings at Cavendish Chapel,p. 1.

References: Psalms 51:18. A. P. Stanley, Sermons on Special Occasions,p. 328. Psalms 51 A. Maclaren, Life of David,p. 216; F. W. Robertson, Sermons,2nd series, p. 84; F. Thluck, Hours of Devotion,p. 25.