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"Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,"

~ Psalm 51:4a

 

In this psalm, David cries out to his God. What is the reason for doing so? His own sin. 

David understands what sin is. He understands the consequences of sin too, as he has personally experienced them. The superscription of the psalm gives us the context of its writing, “A psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.” David had committed a great sin. He both committed adultery (2 Samuel 11:4) and committed murder (2 Samuel 11:14-17). Scripture makes it clear “the thing that David had done displeased the LORD” (2 Samuel 11:27b). 

Sin is a result of the fall (Genesis 3) which continues to affect mankind to this day. David acknowledges his inherent sinful nature (v.3, 5). As the king writes this psalm, he also recognizes the separation from God that results from sin (v.11). 

How should one respond to the tragedy of sin in their lives? King David cannot fathom the comparison between himself and an infinitely holy God. But yet, what do we see him do? When David sees his own dreadful sin, he throws himself on a loving God. He cries out to God to have mercy (v.1) and asks God to wash him (v.2). He does not attempt to deal with his sin himself, instead he seeks God’s forgiveness (v.9). Sin can only be dealt with by God. 

This psalm reveals what is most important in our relationship with God when we are in our sins. David writes, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (v.10). The condition of our hearts before God is more important than anything we can do. As David comments, “For you will not delight in sacrifice… you will not be pleased with a burnt offering” (v.16). What will God accept? “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (v.17). God says Himself, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). 

Coming to church and worshiping is not what cleanses us from our sins. The sacrifice of serving during church or being involved in a program does not remove our guilt. It is rather a humble heart before God which receives His grace. God is the one who removes sin. He does the work, not us. This is demonstrated by the Father sending His Son to die on the cross in our place. Jesus Christ did the work that we could never do. Jesus Christ made the sacrifice no one could ever make. Now, we can come to God the Father in humility by crying out and trusting in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins.