SCRIPTURE FOCUS (Psalm 51:1-12) – [1] Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! [3] For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. [4] Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. [5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. [6] Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. [7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. [8] Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. [9] Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. [11] Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
I. David was brokenhearted over his sin (Psalm 51:1-2)
A. The appeal of David’s confession (Psalm 51:1) – “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”
B. The admission of David’s confession (Psalm 51:2) – “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!”
II. David was honest about his sin (Psalm 51:3-6)
A. David’s diagnosis (Psalm 51:3-5)
1. He knew he could not deny his sin (Psalm 51:3) – “For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me.”
2. He knew he could not diminish his sin (Psalm 51:4) – “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…”
3. He knew he could not defend his sin (Psalm 51:5) – “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
B. David’s discernment (Psalm 51:6) – “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”
III. David was victorious over his sin (Psalm 51:7-12)
A. He wanted to be clean (Psalm 51:7) – “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
B. He wanted to be restored (Psalm 51:8-9) – “Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.”
C. He wanted to be pleasing unto God (Psalm 51:10) – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
D. He wanted to be close to God (Psalm 51:11) – “Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.”
E. He wanted to remain right with God (Psalm 51:12) – “…Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”