Psalm 51: Clean Heart, Fresh Start

August 4, 2024                   Rev. Thomas M. Cox

Psalm 51 * Clean Heart, Fresh Start

• OBSERVATIONS

• The Exceeding Sinfulness of S____ (vss. 1-4): Transgressions and I______________                   David asks for M________.                                                       

• Create in me a Clean Heart (vss. 5-13): David needs C________________ from the Lord.                  He doesn’t want to end up like K______ Saul.
• Right Sacrifices (vss. 14-19):  David will praise God again. The Lord wants S__________ for sin and T______________________ from us.

1. B) INTERPRETATION

• For Consideration–

1. All sin is ultimately an A____________ to God. (vs. 4)                                                     
2. *There’s one part of this psalm that we D______ need to pray. (vs. 11, see also 1 Cor. 10:6-13)
3. Jesus made the old system of animal sacrifices O______________. (vs. 19)

• How do these cross-references help to inform us?

   (OT) Genesis 39:9, Deuteronomy 31:8

   (NT) Luke 15:21, John 10:28, Romans 12:1-2, *Ephesians 1:13 & 4:30, Hebrews 10 & *13:5, 15-16 

13. C) APPLICATIONS: Learn the purpose of the Book of 2 Samuel in God’s redemptive plan. Read Chapter 13.

• Talk to God about men before you talk to men about God. (vs. 13)

Psalm 51:1-19 (ESV, *emphases mine)

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. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. 16 For You will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; You will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will You delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.

-source: H.B. Charles, Jr.