Psalms 51:3-11

So, way back on the weekend of November 20, 2010, I was really busy. Too lazy and not wanting to use a computer, I simply decided to write it down in some old notebook I found in my room. So, ever since then I've either written it down or typed it up, but I haven't posted it. So, here's what I've compiled since then and hopefully I'll keep up to date with actually posting from now on.

Psalms 51:3

Friday, November 19, 2010

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

(v3, NIV)

David outright says that he knows his transgression. What does he mean by this? Don't we typically know our transgressions? Why wouldn't he know? I think typically we don't know our transgressions, or we'd trick ourselves into ignoring them. When Nathan rebuked David, we see his anger burning against the man in the story, but it turns out to be himself. Now it is made plain to him. Before he didn't know, or it wasn't clear to him. Knowing your transgressions can be the first and biggest step sometimes. If you don't know what can you repent of? How do you even know what to repent of?

Psalms 51:3b

Saturday, November 20, 2010

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

(v3, NIV)

How is my sin ever before me? Some looser translations refer to sin haunting or unforgettable. What does it mean for something to be before you? It is in front of you. You can't look away from it because if you look in another direction, it is still in front of you. It is something you can't ignore or avoid. This is the way David feels about his sin. Though we ignore or hideaway our sin, sometimes it is so brought to light in such a way that we cannot ignore it. Our dirty sin can stick out in an unavoidable way that we feel the weight of it all. David has been living for a while seemingly ignoring and not addressing this sin, but it is not until Nathan's rebuke that he says that his sins is ever before him. It seems like it's not till now that he grasps the truth about his sin. I recall a PJC video about stepping on dog poo. His analogy was about a guy stepping in dog poo and pretending it didn't happen. That doesn't make sense; the smart thing to do would be to act like you stepped in poo and act accordingly (by perhaps cleaning your shoes). It is not until the full truth of the poo is acknowledged and acted upon that anything is solved. Similarly, sin needs to be acknowledged and treated as sin, as David shows he is feeling in this verse. It shows the acceptance of the truth about the sin he committed. We would be good to do the same. Admit you stepped in dog poo.

Psalms 51:4

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

and justified when you judge.

(v4, NIV)

Who did David sin against? Who do we sin against when we commit various sins? When I steal a stick of gum from the convenience store, am I sinning against the store owner? Or when I insult someone or hit them, am I not sinning against them? Looking at David's example, I can point to a few people who I would've initially guessed that David sinned against. Was he not sinning against Uriah for sleeping with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba? Or maybe would this be a sin against David's wives for unfaithfulness in his marriage (or marriages? Actually, it seems complicated since he had multiple wives)? Who did he sin against for the death of Uriah? Was this sin against Uriah? Perhaps it was a sin against Bathsheba, for murdering her husband. All these options seem plausible to me, yet David says that he sins against God. Apparently, David's sin is against God even though these sins seem to be directed towards people like Uriah and Bathsheba. This seems to provide a glimpse into the nature of sin. Sin is against God, even if we feel we are directing our anger towards another human being.

Psalms 51:4b

Monday, November 22, 2010

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

and justified when you judge.

(v4, NIV)

David has sinned against God. What's interesting is that David didn't sin against God and someone else. He says "you only" when referring to who he sins against. Though it may seem to be directed towards others or mainly affecting others, it is only against God. When we sin, it may affect or seem to be directed towards others, but we are sinning against God and God alone.

Psalms 51:4c

Tuesday, NOvember 23, 2010

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

and justified when you judge.

(v4, NIV)

How has David sinned against God? Sin is in direct opposition to God. God is holy, righteous and pure. However, sin is disobedience to God. David knew the commandments of God, but he consciously chose to disobey. When we sin, we sin against God because sin is in direct opposition to God and what he has commanded us. We can't plead ignorance either, because his law is written on our hearts, and our conscience bears witness to our evil deeds. David has grasped a better understanding of sin and I hope we all (myself included)continue to have our eyes opened more and more to the truth about sin; and as a result, are broken about it as David is and was.

Psalms 51:4d

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

and justified when you judge.

(v4, NIV)

To sin is to do what is evil. It is also in the sight of God because God is all knowing. So you can't really fool God or do something without him knowing. This also applies to our sin. When we sin in secret, we still sin in the sight of God. God knows it even when we sin in our thoughts. Nothing is hidden from God.

Psalms 51:4e

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

and justified when you judge.

(v4, NIV)

How is God justified in his words? How does David's sin and the fact that he has sinned against God lead to God being justified in his words? God speaks judgment on us for what we have done. He declares what is and is not sin. He knows, sees and declares our sin for what it is. He is justified in his judgment upon us, judging our sin and rightly so.

Psalms 51:4f

November 26, 2010

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight;

so you are right in your verdict

and justified when you judge.

(v4, NIV)

How is God blameless in his judgment? When he judges, he is without blame. It isn't God's fault that his judgment rightly falls upon who it falls. Those for whom his judgment falls upon cannot blame God. Instead, it is their fault and their fault alone. David sins against God alone in his wrongdoing. He doesn't sin against others and God doesn't have a hand in David's sin against others. Instead, it is against God and God isn't to blame for something committed against him. Instead, God is holy, perfect and pure. God is without blame in the sin that David committed. When we sin it is the same, we cannot blame God in his judgment upon us.

Psalms 51:5

Friday, November 27, 2010

Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

(v5, NIV)

We are all sinners. We all sin and we all fall short of the glory of God. It's not too hard to prove that all have sinned. I mean, you can't search the entirety of your life without easily finding something bad or wrong you've done. However, David takes it one step further. Not only do we all sin, but we are all sinners from birth. We're brought into this world in sin. Even those "innocent" pure babies in the nursery are born into this world in sin. This is how bleak the situation is. Now I'm sure this brings forth questions of whether babies are saved or not and stuff like that. I simply don't know, but I hope to continue to trust in a God who does know.

Psalms 51:6

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

(v6, NIV)

There is a contrast with this and what is mentioned before. Before this verse, there is much about sin and transgressions. David's sin is clearly wrong and he is a filthy sinner. Though we sin and are dirtied by it, God delights in the truth. This may not seem like a direct contrast, but David's sin had a lot to do with concealment and lies. After committing adultery with Bathsheba, he tried to cover up his sin. God delights in the truth and so we should live by the truth. Not only do we live not telling lies, but we live lives according to his truth that he has taught us. This isn't just outward, but it comes from inside. Not only are they merely outward appearances of truth, but truth that comes from within. By that I mean the motives, intentions and thoughts matter, not just how you look on the outside. Our God is a God who delights in truth, not in lies and secrecy.

Psalms 51:6b

Monday, November 29, 2010

Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

(v6, NIV)

God teaches us wisdom. God is wise and gives wisdom. Not only does he teach it to us as a teacher in school would, but it is taught in the secret heart. That phrase seems oddly confusing. It makes me think of times when I am alone with God and am taught something by him. It is secret in the sense that is just between me and God. It is in the heart because it is internal and not something I need to internalize to remember. God's wisdom to me is great and greatly treasured.

Psalms 51:7

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

(v7, NIV)

God is the one we need cleansing from. It's not like we are capable of cleansing ourselves. David knew this well. We can try and so many do try to clean themselves. People try by doing "good works". The mentality is to pour on enough "good deeds" so that it outweighs the "bad deeds". The problem is that "good deeds" will never be enough to cleanse us as we need. We need a cleansing that makes us "whiter than snow" in a purity sense. Only God can clean that way that well.

Psalms 51:7b

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

(v7, NIV)

Hyssop is found in a few places in the Old Testament. My Google search brought me to Wikipedia, first pointing to Exodus. When the Israelites were instructed to point their doorposts with the blood of a young lamb, hyssop was used as the brush in Exodus 12. Also, there are a few passages in Leviticus (chapters 14, 18 and 19) where priests use hyssop for purification rites. Hyssop seems to be strongly associated with purification. It makes sense why David uses it here. David wishes to be cleansed by God and the use of hyssop is as the symbolism of the cleansing he needs from God.

Psalms 51:8

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

(v8, ESV)

Why does he ask to hear joy and gladness? Typically you ask for something you do not have or want more of. Perhaps you may ask for some food if you're hungry or some food looks tasty. Maybe you might ask for a hug or for one's hand in marriage. You might even ask for help to hold the door or to carry something. David here is asking for joy and gladness. He is broken over his sin and this asking for joy and gladness seems to be contrasted by how he must feel. He must feel the opposite and is dearly asking for relief. Who do we turn to when we're feeling down? I don't always turn to God when I'm feeling down. However, it is God who we should be turning to.

Psalms 51:8b

Friday, December 3, 2010

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

(v8, NIV)

David asks to hear joy and gladness. Why does he ask for these things? Why can't he cheer himself up? Why can't he just bring himself joy and gladness? Why doesn't he ask for joy and gladness elsewhere? People seek for joy in many different things. We spend ourselves and our lives chasing after that which is temporary. Are these things that which satisfy? I would argue that this joy and gladness only comes from God. This is why David asks God for joy and gladness. David is lacking in those areas, and who better to ask than God? Who else is there to ask? Only God can satisfy. True joy and gladness only comes from God, and we all should go to him.

Psalms 51:8c

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

(v8, NIV)

Apparently, there are bones that God has crushed. I'm assuming that these are David's bones. Why does he want them to rejoice? For some reason, he wants broken bones to rejoice. I don't know first hand, but I don't think a broken leg often brings rejoicing. Instead, I'm sure it's painful and quite a hindrance. However, these bones should rejoice. More importantly, why would God crush his bones? God wouldn't do it for no reason and he certainly wouldn't do it just as a bother. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and we read about this in Romans 8. It may seem like God is doing harm and it's probably hard to rejoice in that type of situation, but God really intends for our good. It probably is difficult for David to rejoice for broken bones, but these broken bones should rejoice. His bones probably weren't physically broken and it is probably just symbolically referring to God's punishment upon him as a result of his sin. In the same way, we should learn to rejoice in the trials and tribulations. Rejoice for them and continue to put hope and trust in God. We may not know what's coming at the end, but he certainly does.

Psalms 51:9

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

(v9, NIV)

David apparently doesn't want God to even look at his sins. He wishes God to look away. His sins are terribly dirty and God's eyes shouldn't even look upon one so impure. God is pure and holy and righteous. How can one so pure even look upon one as sinful as David? How can God even look at any of us, since we have all sinned and fallen short of his glory? This shows David's understanding of God. If He were physically present, how would you feel keeping in mind your filthy sinfulness? You wouldn't want him to know or see these things, but he does know. Similarly, you wouldn't want your parents or the police present as you commit murder or theft, would you? It's not exactly the same, but you don't want them to see or know. David isn't simply talking about living in continual deception and hiding of his sins. We read of his repentance and wish for real cleaning from God, so this isn't about trying to continue in sin while hiding it.

Psalms 51:9b

Monday, December 6, 2010

Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

(v9, NIV)

Why does David ask to blot out his iniquity? Is it not enough for God to cover his face from David's sins? David doesn't just want this sin to remain hidden. He wishes it to be purged from it. More specifically, he wishes for record of it to be removed. There is record of his sinful actions written down, and David asks for that record to be erased. If it is erased, it's as if it didn't happen and David can move on with a clean slate. David wants forgiveness and he is repentant over his sins. When we wrong someone, don't we wish that they could act as if it never happened? We often wish for that kind of forgiveness, a forgiveness that in love treats you as if you never did such a thing. I am simply reminded of how nothing but the blood of Jesus is able to wash away all our sin.

Psalms 51:9c

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

(v9, NIV)

David asks for his iniquity to be blotted out. This is what so many of us desperately desire. Sure, you may not acknowledge or believe in God, but you certainly desire it from others. There are times when you wrong someone else and really wish that you hadn't done that crime. Seeking forgiveness is difficult and is not always granted. When it is granted, does the other person forget it ever happened, or do they remind you of it from time to time? If we desperately desire the forgiveness of others, shouldn't we show it to others as well? I am reminded of the parable Jesus told of the unmerciful servant. He had an outstanding debt to pay to the king, but he could not pay. However, the king decided to forgive him his debt. However, the servant turned to his fellow servant who owed him money and demanded it. When the fellow servant begged similarly to how the unmerciful servant begged the king, the unmerciful servant was unwilling to forgive the debt. The king found out and dealt harshly towards the unmerciful servant. If you want to read it, it's at the end of Matthew 18. David asks God for his slate to be wiped clean as many of us ask. However, are we willing to show the same forgiveness to others? Sure, this passage isn't talking about that, but some may be tempted to simply ask for forgiveness without showing the same kindness to others. Forgive one another.

Psalms 51:10

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

(v10, NIV)

David asks God to create in him a clean heart. This implies that David's heart is unclean. We all have unclean hearts. Sure, you may look at other people and label them as a "good person", but in reality, their hearts are unclean. David's heart was unclean; your heart is unclean and so is mine.

Psalms 51:10b

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

(v10, NIV)

God is the one David asks for joy and gladness. God is the one David asks for his iniquity to be blotted out. God is also the one who David asks to create a clean heart in him. This among other things comes from God. Our hearts are unclean and we need them to be clean. It's not just a clean heart but a pure heart. I am reminded of how Jesus talked about what makes one unclean. It's not what goes into the body, but what comes out of the body. Upon further explanation, Jesus tells of how what comes out is from the heart. From the heart come all sorts of filthy sinfulness, defiling a person. This passage can be found in Matthew 7. Be careful of what defiles you and we need God to create in us a pure heart.

Psalms 51:10c

Friday, December 10, 2010

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

(v10, NIV)

David asks for a steadfast spirit. What does steadfast mean? I looked it up and it means fixed or unchanging. David wants a spirit that doesn't change. He has changed and he used to be all for God, but then he screwed up. He doesn't want it to change and he wants it to be constantly good between him and God. In the same way, our lives are always up and down. We experience good times and we experience bad times. Sometimes we're close to God but sometimes we're so in love with our sin that we end up so far from him. Let us be the same and fixed on God. We should be unchanging and God can provide.

Psalms 51:11

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

(v11, NIV)

God certainly has the power and ability to cast us from his presence. If he so chooses, we wouldn't be granted such a grace. It is quite a valuable gift to be able to be in his presence. He is not distant, but nearby. David knew and must have tasted what it was like to be in the presence of God. God certainly blessed him and directed him in the past. God gave David's enemies into his hands on numerous occasions. David was instructed by God and he listened. David knew what it was like to be near to God, but he didn't want that to be taken away. I heard recently that E5 was closed for cleaning. Apparently, some people made a mess of the study area there. Because of this, the privilege of studying there has been taken away from all the students. You can debate all you like whether God can do this or not and to what degree. However, what God has done for us is so amazing and valuable beyond compare. This grace and privilege we have should not be taken lightly.