Psalm 51 “Whiter Than Snow”
David’s sin, in which he committed adultery with Bathsheba and later, after discovering that she was pregnant, arranged to have her husband, Uriah, killed in battle, is the dark background for the psalm (see 2 Samuel chapters 11-12). “Between the David of this psalm and the cynical tactician of 2 Samuel 11 there stands simply Nathan the prophet. The power of God’s word is nowhere more strikingly evident than in this transformation” (Kidner p. 189). This psalm can be outlined as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
The psalmist’s approach to God, which is a cry for forgiveness: 51:1-2 The confession of his sin: 51:3-6 An appeal for cleansing: 51:7-9 A desire for inward renewal: 51:10-12 A promise to teach others the lessons about forgiveness he has learned: 51:13-17 6. A concluding prayer for the prosperity of Zion: 51:18-19
The Cry For Forgiveness 51:1 “Be gracious to me”: “The opening plea, have mercy, is the language of one who has no claim to the favor he begs” (Kidner p. 189). Clearly David knows that he doesn’t deserve or merit such forgiveness. “Two things come together in these verses. The first is a fierce, almost desperate clinging to God’s mercy…We cannot come to God on the basis of His justice; justice strikes us with fear and causes us to hide from Him…The only reason we dare come to God and dare hope for a solution to our sin problem is His mercy” (Boice p. 425). Secondly, we are driven to seek God’s mercy and cry out for forgiveness only when we have a profound awareness of our sins. The verb “have mercy” frequently occurs in psalms of lament (4L1; 6:2; 31:9; 41:4,10; 56:1; 86:3). The word rendered “lovingkindness”, refers to God’s steadfast love. David knows that God wants the sinner saved (2 Peter 3:9), and will forgive those who are truly humble and penitent. God isn’t just waiting for us to sin so He can get rid of us as soon as possible. Compare with Luke 15 and the prodigal son. 51:1 “blot out my transgressions”: “But there is more to forgiveness than a tender spirit. The accusing record of the sin remains and the pollution clings. The plea, blot out, means ‘wipe away’, like the writing from a book” (Kidner p. 1
190). “He seems to think of his sins as a list of offenses of which he is accused or a catalogue of debts which he cannot pay. He pleads that the entry be erased” (Stott p. 63). The word “transgressions” infers that sin is the crossing of a boundary which is forbidden. Something that is sinful therefore can never be called a “right”. “We have crossed the boundary of His moral law and are at war with Him in consequence. It is not merely, then, that we go against some abstract propriety, or break some impersonal law of nature when we do wrong, but that we rebel against a rightful Sovereign” (Boice p. 426). Hence, when we sin, we are in effect declaring war on God. 51:2 “Wash me thoroughly”: “Uses a verb normally connected with the laundering of clothes, as if David is comparing himself to a foul garment needing to be washed and washed” (Kidner p. 190). The word “iniquity” means “perversion”, and tells us that things which are sinful are things which are twisted and perverted. The word “sin” in this verse means a “falling short or missing the mark”. “It is also true that sin misses its own mark, since we never hit what we are aiming at by sinning” (Boice p. 426). When we sin, we completely miss God’s purpose and goal for our existence. Note, sin isn’t something just off the mark, rather, when we sin we are as far from righteousness as we can be. All the words used in reference to “sin” in this section refer to personal failure, which David emphasizes by speaking of “my” transgressions, “my” iniquity, and “my” sin.
Confession 51:3 “For I know my transgressions”: This may seem self-evident and almost trite, but the reason that people do not confess their sins is because they don’t believe themselves to be sinners. David knows himself intimately and realizes how rebellious he has been. David cannot rationalize away his actions and neither can he tone down what he has done. Everyday he is confronted with how selfish he has acted. When a person really owns up to their sins, they can’t get their mind off of the past until it is forgiven. Compare with Psalm 32:3-4. 51:4 “Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned”: David had also sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah, but David gets to the heart of the matter. Points To Note: 1.
First, sin by its very definition is against God, since it is only by God’s law that sin is defined as sin. “Second, it is only because God is in the picture that even a wrong done to our neighbor is a wrong. It is because our neighbor is made in God’s image and is endowed with rights by God that it is wrong to harm him or her” (Boice p. 427). If God didn’t exist, then there could be no such thing as “crimes against humanity”. 2. Joseph understood the above truths (Genesis 39:9 “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”). 3. “His sin was treason. To say 2
against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, may invite the quibble that adultery and murder are hardly private wrongs. But it is a typically biblical way of going to the heart of the matter. Sin can be against oneself (1 Corinthians 6:18) and against one’s neighbor; but the flouting of God is always the length and breadth of it…Notice the immense contrast here to the self-absorbed outlook of 2 Samuel 11, where David’s only question was, in effect, ‘How do I cover my tracks?’ Now it is, ‘How could I treat God so?’” (Kidner p. 190). 4. One way to break a sinful habit is to realize that far from hurting ourselves or others, we are hurting the God who created us, gave His Son for us, and wants to see us saved. When we sin, God is looking at us with deep disappointment in His eyes. 5. We can only break the pattern of chronic sins, when we call what we are doing by it’s rightful name, “evil in Thy sight”. 51:4 “So that Thou art justified when Thou dost speak”: This passage is quoted in Romans 3:4. David is saying, “God, when you condemned me (through the words of Nathan the prophet) for my sins---you were right!” David doesn’t reject or argue with God’s verdict. “His complete acceptance of God’s verdict is matched in the New Testament by the penitent thief (Luke 23:41)” (Kidner p. 190). David simply admits that God is completely right and he is completely in the wrong, and any confession which is less than this isn’t genuine repentance. As long as a man or woman is still making excuses for their sins they really haven’t admitted that they have indeed sinned against God, or that God’s verdict concerning their behavior or attitude is right. This also means that God has never mislabeled something as sin or that God has never gone overboard. When God calls something sin, then it is completely evil. 51:5 “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me”: Points To Note: 1.
From this verse Calvinists try to argue that David is saying that he was born totally depraved and born lost. In addition, some say that David is saying, “he is confessing that there was never a moment in his existence when he was not a sinner” (Boice p. 428). Leupold writes, “In effect it says, How can I or any other man do anything other than sin, seeing that from the very moment of the origin of our life the taint of sin is upon us?” (p. 403). 2. The problem with such an interpretation is that other passages clearly argue against one being born a sinner (Ezekiel 18:20; Matthew 18:3; 1 Corinthians 14:20; Romans 7:9). 3. In addition, other aspects of Calvinism, are found in opposition to this psalm: a. The sinner is so depraved that he can’t even desire what is good (total depravity), but David desires to be right with God in this psalm. b. David believes that he can lose his salvation (51:11), not that once he was saved he will always be saved, regardless of his behavior. 4. It appears to me that David is simply saying that he was born into a sinful 3
environment, into a world filled with sin. Not only does God have a right to condemn David, but God has a right to condemn the whole world (Romans 3:23). He has the right to condemn every sinner and every sin ever committed. 5. I reject the idea that David is overstating the case or using poetic language. First, David is speaking by inspiration here, and secondly, when poetic language is used, it is still used to teach the truth.
Restoration 51:6 “Thou does desire truth in the inner most being”: This has always been true, God has always delighted in truth in the inmost heart. “God is true, and He wants (desires) His character to be found in us” (Williams p. 365). God desires more than simply an apology from us, He wants us to become pure and trustworthy people. He wants us to be loyal and sincere on our inner most being. “Blessed are the pure in heart” (Matthew 5:8). God also provides the means to become truthful, He provides the teachings that will enable me to be sincere and wise (51:6; Psalm 19:7ff; Psalm 119:1ff; John 17:17; Hebrews 4:1213). 51:7 Hyssop was a small plant frequently found growing in the crevices of stone walls (1 Kings 4:33). Because of its shape and structure, it was often used like a small brush (Exodus 12:22). Hyssop was used to sprinkle blood on one who had been healed of some infectious disease (Leviticus 14:4,6), it was also used to cleanse one who had been defiled by touching a dead body (Numbers 19:18). See also Hebrews 9:19-22. 51:7 “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow”: Compare with Isaiah 1:18. David realizes that with God there are no half-measures. David desires the complete removal of his guilt, he also believes that God is able to forgive him. Sadly, some people refuse to repent because they don’t think that God will forgive them. In addition, David realizes that only God can remove his sins. Be impressed that David doesn’t merely want to be forgiven, he desperately wants to stop thinking and acting in a sinful manner. But how many people who profess to be Christians would be happy to remain unspiritual and selfish just as long as God didn’t send them to hell? 51:8 David prays for the restoration of joy. “The joy is more than an emotional expression; it is a contented resting in God. The security of having been reconciled with the Lord and of having peace with Him (Romans 5:1)” (Gaebelein p. 382). This is joy that comes from knowing that one is right with God. “The metaphor of broken or crushed bones in verse 8 suggests that God has cut David down in conviction. Confronted by the truth, he is shattered” (Williams pp. 366-367). Yet, out of such a crushing blow can come joy and peace. We need to resist the temptation of wanting to feel immediately better after we sin. We live in a culture which demands and promises instant happiness. We must allow ourselves to feel the true depth of our selfishness 4
and mourn over our own sins before we can experience the true joy of being at peace with God. Cheap forgiveness only leads to cheap and temporary happiness. 51:9 God will only hide His face from our sins, when we face them squarely and admit them with no excuses. Sin can only be forgiven when it is completely and fully acknowledged by the sinner to God.
Cleaning The Inside Of The Cup 51:10 Forgiveness is not the only need that David has. He realizes that his sins came from a heart that wasn’t right. He is certain to do the same thing again unless he changes the way that he thinks. “Pardon and purity! Those are the two great needs of every human being” (Boice p. 431). The words heart and spirit goes to the “springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23), or our inward motivation. When we sin, instead of instantly thinking, “Oh, I need to ask God to forgive me”. We need to ask a deeper question, “What is wrong in my heart that I would yield to such a temptation?” David longs to be pure in thought and motivation, pure through and through. Is this your desire? (2 Corinthians 7:1) The New Testament reveals how God “creates” a clean heart and a steadfast spirit. This is the same thing as putting off the old man and putting on the new man (Colossians 3:5ff; Ephesians 4:17ff). God gives us the pattern and He gives us the incentives, but we must provide the “will”. David earnestly desires to avoid sin in the future! 51:11 David realizes that he can reject God’s mercy. “The likely background of being a castaway was the example of Saul, from whom the Spirit of the Lord had departed (1 Samuel 16:14)” (Kidner p. 192). Points To Note: 1.
Freewill is scary. David had committed adultery and had an innocent man murdered, and God didn’t stop him. The evil of which we are capable should scare us! 2. We need to learn from those who have become unfaithful--that could be us if we become careless and apathetic. We can become the bitter and cynical unfaithful Christian. We can become the miserable and lonely man or woman who has left spouse and children. We can become like Saul, neurotic, suspicious, filled with self-pity, hate, and jealousy. 3. Calvinists try to argue that one can’t lose their salvation. In fact some argue that Old Testament believers could lose their salvation, but New Testament believers cannot (Boice p. 433). 4. Sadly, in arguing that Christians can’t lose their salvation, people are not only teaching error, but they are actually undermining the faithfulness of those how are trying to live the Christian life. 5. Others try to argue that David feared losing his salvation, but he should have known better. Such an argument infers that David wasn’t inspired when
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he wrote this psalm. A much better explanation is that David knew what he was talking about, and that people who say you can’t lose your salvation are those who don’t know what they are talking about. 51:12 Some say that David hadn’t lost his salvation, rather he had simply lost the joy of his salvation. Such men need to remember that sin cuts us off from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21). “How relevant to many people’s thinking today. Many think that the way to joy or a good time is by sinning. They think that godliness is dull. Actually the opposite is the case… The fact that the psalmist prays for so many things (7-12), indicates how many things he knew he had lost when he plunged into sin” (Boice p. 434). When you are confronted with the awfulness of your sins, a life of sincerity, faithfulness and purity looks extremely wonderful, happy and exciting. Sin does get old and tiresome. 51:12 “a willing spirit”: “The word suggests the enthusiast and volunteer, with his eager and generous outlook. But on reflection, such a spirit is God’s own antidote to temptation: that positive delight in His will (40:8) which David had largely lost” (Kidner p. 192). The depth of our repentance is revealed by what we do with our time after we repent! 51:13 The person convicted by their sins and who really repents will naturally become an advocate for God to others. People who must talk to others about Jesus are people who truly appreciate their salvation. “He accepts his responsibility to his fellow humans. He has sinned against them; now he will serve them in a new way” (Stott p. 64).
Humble Worship 51:14 “Deliver me from bloodguiltiness”: “The enormity of his sin continues to horrify David. He had none of the glibness of Isaiah’s contemporaries, who were oblivious of the blood on their praying hands (Isaiah 1:15)” (Kidner p. 193). David knew that the innocent blood of Uriah was on his hands! Do we take our sins this personally? Is the blood of anyone on our hands? (Ezekiel 3:16-17) 51:14-15 The proper response to forgiveness is a mouth that will praise God and joyfully sing of His righteousness. Teaching (51:13) is not the only thing David wants to do. He also wants to praise God rightly. “He longs to worship freely, gratefully again” (Kidner p. 193). How eager are we to praise God? Are we ashamed when others hear us praising God? Do we freely sing out, or do we make sure that others can’t hear us? People who really appreciate their salvation want to worship God.
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51:16-17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit”: The reason that God didn’t delight in sacrifice in this instance is that there wasn’t any sacrifice which could atone for the sins of murder and adultery. If there had been a sacrifice, David would have willingly offered it (51:16). When one is really repentant they are willing to do whatever it takes to be right with God and they don’t argue with His conditions for salvation. In addition, sacrifices themselves when appropriate were only acceptable if they were expressive of a contrite, worshipping heart and an obedient will. When a sacrifice was demanded, a contrite heart would willingly offer it. Compare with Isaiah 57:15; 66:2; Micah 6:8 and 1 Samuel 15:22-23. Point To Note: Unfortunately many people read the above passage and think that David is saying that “humble feelings” are more important than actual obedience to a command of God. Rather, David realizes that God always wants much more than outward sacrifice, God wants the whole man (Matthew 22:37), total and complete devotion of the heart. A person with a broken and contrite spirit will do whatever God wants them to do. In fact, when a person argues that feelings are more important than obedience, they are manifesting the exact opposite of a contrite heart, for now they are arguing with God. Note, David knows that sacrifices are very important (19). 51:18-19 “Though many interpreters claim that the psalm could end very effectively, in fact, more effectively with verse 17, and that these last two verses must be an addition by some later hand, we feel compelled to reject both claims. For it must be remembered that the psalm, if it at all agrees with the things that David experienced, has said nothing as to the possible effect that David’s sin may have had upon the whole nation. Yet it is unthinkable that after his recovery David should not have felt what his wicked example might do to his people. It is equally unthinkable that he should not have prayed to God to turn aside the evil effects of his bad example” (Leupold p. 408). David here may be praying that the effects of his bad example, what his sin had torn down, could be once again rebuilt. He may feel that because of his sin, the moral fiber and spirituality of God’s people, especially in Jerusalem has been seriously hurt. Do we earnestly try to undo what we have done? “Let us remember that everything we do affects other people, whether for good or evil. It is not true that we can sin ‘as long as it does not hurt anyone’, because sin always hurts someone” (Boice p. 436).
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