By Scott Guffin
Associate Professor and Executive Director of Christian Ministry, Samford University
The Cry for Forgiveness
Psalm 51:1–13
All of us will need to ask forgiveness of someone at some point in our lives. The truth of this statement is a given, because as human beings, we all sin and fall short of God’s glorious ideal for us. In so doing, we often find ourselves having offended, insulted, or harmed others, requiring us to seek forgiveness from the injured party to restore the relationship to its former state.
Psalm 51 begins with the following heading: “A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.” In this psalm, we find a record of the groanings of the heart of Israel’s King David, as he wrestles with his own sinfulness following the discovery of his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and his murderous attempt to cover his tracks. Having been confronted by the prophet Nathan, David cries out to God for forgiveness and restoration.
Our sin is ultimately sin against God. (1–4)
The effects of David’s sin clearly went beyond the boundaries of his relationship with God. In addition to committing adultery with Bathsheba, David ordered that her husband Uriah be placed in a position in battle that was guaranteed to bring about his demise. Stacking sin upon sin, David’s moral failure and selfish treachery damaged multiple families and, one could argue, impacted the entire nation which he served as king.
Ultimately, however, David realizes that the greatest offense he has committed is in turning his back on God’s expectations for him, choosing his own desires over faithful obedience. David uses three different words to describe his rebellion against God: “transgression,” meaning to rebelliously cross a line or willfully rebel; “sin,” which refers to missing the mark and falling short of God’s standards; and “iniquity,” which describes crooked or twisted behavior that emanates from a corrupt heart.
David sees all three in himself and declares that God is justified and blameless in His judgment of David’s sin.
The way out of our sin begins with turning to God in repentance. (5–9)
Recognizing his own guilt and the judgment he is due for it, David actually begins this psalm in verse one with a cry for God’s grace, love and mercy, appealing to the character and heart of God in dealing with his sinfulness. In verses five through nine, David references again the character of God and the resulting activity of God that naturally follows. David notes that God values honesty and integrity in the “inner self” and that He is a teacher of deep, internal wisdom. But, he also acknowledges that God has “crushed” his “bones,” referring to the intense convicting work of the Holy Spirit in his life. Between these thoughts, David cries out to God in verse seven to purify him and wash him clean of his sin.
God restores us to a place of fruitfulness. (10–13)
David extends his plea for God’s forgiveness and restoration in verse 10, imploring God to create a clean heart in him and to restore the joy that results from God’s salvation. He earnestly begs God not to banish him or to withdraw His Spirit, but rather to grant him a spirit that desires to follow God. David then pledges to “teach the rebellious” the ways of God and to lead sinners back to God. In essence, David is promising to teach others the lessons that he has gained through his own mistakes and failures.
As we consider our own lives, it is important to realize that the impact of our sins always extends beyond us. Our failure to be faithful can damage relationships, hurt others, and can even bring harm upon the body of Christ. While it is important that we ask forgiveness of those we have wronged, it is vital that we recognize that our sin ultimately is against God. It is from Him that we need forgiveness, and thus to Him that we must cry out in sorrow and repentance for our rebellion.
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