Psalm 51/Commentary

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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


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