Psalm 51

 Psalm 51

Next to Psalm 23, this is perhaps the most well-known of all the Psalms.  It is the response of David’s heart when it is finally broken over the murder of his loyal friend, prompted by the affair with his friend’s wife.  It is hard not to identify with this Psalm even if our sin is not murder.  As with all the Psalms, this one deserves deep study and meditation from the opening letter to the final period.

For our purposes we will focus on three points in the first verse.  The theme and desperation of the whole Psalm are expressed in three words or phrases.  In the NASB those words and phrases are “be gracious,” “loving kindness,” and “compassion.” There is a growing intensity of these words.  In these three words/phrases, David is asking for ‘kind affection’ that is expressed over one that is loved.  Next he asks for a disposition of ‘beauty and goodness.’  Third, there he places his hope in a deep gut-level emotion that moves the whole person, that is, God, to act.  Herein is the only hope for a sinner.  Thankfully that beautifully describes our Lord God’s passionate want and desire to forgive us.  His desire to forgive is greater than our desire to be forgiven.  But if we have that desire, however imperfectly and incompletely, He is both willing and able to forgive.  

“Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. AMEN.”