Psalms 51
FBMeyerPsalms 51:1-10
the Prayer of the Contrite Heart Psalms 51:1-10 This psalm is a ladder which climbs from the horrible pit, with its miry clay, into the heights of sunny joy, where the song breaks from the forgiven penitent. Here is the cry of the lost sheep which has been torn by briers, harried by wild dogs, drenched in the morass, but which the shepherd has found and brought home rejoicing. This path has been worn by myriads of penitents. Psalms 51:17 was written on the wall of St. Augustine’ s cell. There is no doubt as to the occasion or the authorship of this psalm. It abounds in references to 2 Samuel 11:1-27; 2 Samuel 12:1-31. It is remarkable that such a confession should have been handed to the chief musician; but the publicity thus given has made it a means of grace to myriads. Note the epithets for sin: transgression, “ the violation of law;” iniquity, “ crookedness from the straight line of rectitude;” sin, “ missing the mark.” However much God longs to forgive, He cannot, until confession is made. We must acknowledge our lapse from virtue! Blot out, as from a record; wash, as foul stains from linen; cleanse, as a leper by the touch of Christ. Our only plea is the multitude of God’ s tender mercies.
A broken and contrite heartThere is no doubt as to the occasion or the authorship of this Psalm. It abounds with references to 2 Samuel 11:1-27; 2 Samuel 12:1-31. It is remarkable that such a confession should have been handed to the chief musician. But surely the publicity given to it has been a means of grace to all earnest worshippers in every age. The repentance was as public as the guilt. Many a sin-stained penitent has trodden these well-worn steps, which bear the marks of pilgrims of all nations and lands.
What a story it is! “This saint of nearly fifty years of age–bound to God by ties which he rapturously felt and acknowledged, whose words have been the very breath of devotion for every devout heart–forgets his longings after righteousness; flings away the joys of Divine communion; darkens his soul; ends his prosperity; brings down upon his head for all his remaining years a cataract of calamities; and makes his name and his religion a target for the barbed sarcasms of each succeeding generation of scoffers. As man, as king, as soldier–he is found wanting. Why should we dwell on the wretched story, except that it teaches, as no other page in the history of God’s Church does, that the alchemy of Divine love can extract sweet perfumes of penitence and praise out of the filth of sin?” (Dr. Maclaren)
Psalms 51:1.Thy loving-kindness … Thy tender merciesOur only pleas for forgiveness are in God’s loving kindness, and in the multitude of his tender mercies. It is only as we believe in these that we dare look at our sins. Nor can we ever forget that though the blood of Jesus did not purchase the love and mercy of God, it is only through his sacrifice that God’s love is able to have free scope in pursuing its tender office of redemption.
Psalms 51:2. Cleanse me from my sin! The plural transgressions" (Psalms 50:1) is here replaced by the singular sin, because all the successive crimes which had accumulated about his soul were branches from a common trunk. Mark these successive terms: transgression, the violation of law; iniquity, crookedness from the straight line of rectitude; sin, missing the mark.
Psalms 51:3. I acknowledgeHowever much God loves the penitent and desires to forgive him, He dares not pardon until distinct confession has been made. Till then sin is like the fabled spirit of a murdered and unburied corpse—it is ever before the eyes of the soul.
Psalms 51:4. Against Thee have I sinned Every sin against man is still more a sin against God.
Psalms 51:5. I was shapen in iniquity This was not said to extenuate, but to show how inveterate was the evil, needing infinite help and love.
Psalms 51:7. Purge me, wash me! How many are the expressions employed! Blot out, as from a record. Wash, as foul stains which must be rubbed and beaten out. Cleanse, as a leper: for whom the sprig of hyssop was always used (Leviticus 14:4-9).
Psalms 51:8. Make me to hear joy! How gloriously bold to ask for restoration to joy (Psalms 50:12). Let us claim the music and dancing, as well as the best robe.
Psalms 51:10-12. A constant spirit (marg.) This is what we need to guard against future outbreaks–a constant spirit (marg.); God’s Holy Spirit; and a willing spirit (R.V., marg.).
Psalms 51:13. I will teach transgressors There is no such preacher as he who has been newly-forgiven. The forgiven Peter was the appointed preacher at Pentecost.
Psalms 51:15. Open Thou my lips! When God opens the lips, the devil and fear cannot shut them.
Psalms 51:16-17. Thou desirest not sacrifice Ceremonialism cannot free us from taint (Hebrews 9:9-16). God’s fire descends on broken hearts.
Psalms 51:18-19. Do good unto Zion! When we are right with God, our sympathies and prayers overflow the narrow confines of selfish interest and pour themselves out for the entire Church.
Psalms 51:11-19
the Sacrifices God Accepts Psalms 51:11-19 It is not enough to be forgiven; the true penitent longs to be kept from breaking out into the old sins. He desires a clean heart that abhors the least taint of sin; a right or steadfast (r.v., margin) spirit, influenced by God’ s holy Spirit, and therefore a willing spirit as well. Then shall follow the joy of salvation, success in soul-winning, humility of soul, the blessing of Zion, and the upbuilding of the Church. What glorious results are these-like the fair colors extracted from coal-tar! There are no sacrifices so dear to God as broken hearts; no offerings so precious as contrite spirits. It would be impossible to compute all the walls that have been built; all the Jerusalems, that have been blessed, all the congregations that have been moved, all the revivals that have resulted because sinful men and women have been loved back from the pit of corruption and reinstated into the clear shining of God’ s forgiveness and favor. Do not be content with forgiveness; seek restoration to the old place and then strive for a better.
A broken and contrite heartThere is no doubt as to the occasion or the authorship of this Psalm. It abounds with references to 2 Samuel 11:1-27; 2 Samuel 12:1-31. It is remarkable that such a confession should have been handed to the chief musician. But surely the publicity given to it has been a means of grace to all earnest worshippers in every age. The repentance was as public as the guilt. Many a sin-stained penitent has trodden these well-worn steps, which bear the marks of pilgrims of all nations and lands.
What a story it is! “This saint of nearly fifty years of age–bound to God by ties which he rapturously felt and acknowledged, whose words have been the very breath of devotion for every devout heart–forgets his longings after righteousness; flings away the joys of Divine communion; darkens his soul; ends his prosperity; brings down upon his head for all his remaining years a cataract of calamities; and makes his name and his religion a target for the barbed sarcasms of each succeeding generation of scoffers. As man, as king, as soldier–he is found wanting. Why should we dwell on the wretched story, except that it teaches, as no other page in the history of God’s Church does, that the alchemy of Divine love can extract sweet perfumes of penitence and praise out of the filth of sin?” (Dr. Maclaren)
Psalms 51:1.Thy loving-kindness … Thy tender merciesOur only pleas for forgiveness are in God’s loving kindness, and in the multitude of his tender mercies. It is only as we believe in these that we dare look at our sins. Nor can we ever forget that though the blood of Jesus did not purchase the love and mercy of God, it is only through his sacrifice that God’s love is able to have free scope in pursuing its tender office of redemption.
Psalms 51:2. Cleanse me from my sin! The plural transgressions" (Psalms 50:1) is here replaced by the singular sin, because all the successive crimes which had accumulated about his soul were branches from a common trunk. Mark these successive terms: transgression, the violation of law; iniquity, crookedness from the straight line of rectitude; sin, missing the mark.
Psalms 51:3. I acknowledgeHowever much God loves the penitent and desires to forgive him, He dares not pardon until distinct confession has been made. Till then sin is like the fabled spirit of a murdered and unburied corpse—it is ever before the eyes of the soul.
Psalms 51:4. Against Thee have I sinned Every sin against man is still more a sin against God.
Psalms 51:5. I was shapen in iniquity This was not said to extenuate, but to show how inveterate was the evil, needing infinite help and love.
Psalms 51:7. Purge me, wash me! How many are the expressions employed! Blot out, as from a record. Wash, as foul stains which must be rubbed and beaten out. Cleanse, as a leper: for whom the sprig of hyssop was always used (Leviticus 14:4-9).
Psalms 51:8. Make me to hear joy! How gloriously bold to ask for restoration to joy (Psalms 50:12). Let us claim the music and dancing, as well as the best robe.
Psalms 51:10-12. A constant spirit (marg.) This is what we need to guard against future outbreaks–a constant spirit (marg.); God’s Holy Spirit; and a willing spirit (R.V., marg.).
Psalms 51:13. I will teach transgressors There is no such preacher as he who has been newly-forgiven. The forgiven Peter was the appointed preacher at Pentecost.
Psalms 51:15. Open Thou my lips! When God opens the lips, the devil and fear cannot shut them.
Psalms 51:16-17. Thou desirest not sacrifice Ceremonialism cannot free us from taint (Hebrews 9:9-16). God’s fire descends on broken hearts.
Psalms 51:18-19. Do good unto Zion! When we are right with God, our sympathies and prayers overflow the narrow confines of selfish interest and pour themselves out for the entire Church.