David prays for himself, 1-12. He makes three promises and vows, 13-18. He is concerned for God's people, 18-19. v.1-3. CONSCIENCE AND CONVICTION OF SIN
- Without mercy, the transgressions he committed with Bathsheba and all that followed that act, he was ruined because of sin.
- Loving kindness: divine compassion was what he needed. He was looking for a higher degree of mercy
- Tender mercies: the highest possible degree of compassion
- Blot out: remove the record
- Wash me: iniquity is something inherently wrong. He needed a sin offering
- Deep conviction of sin because of what happened and what he was responsible for
- His conscience is outraged, "always before me."
- Acknowledge my transgression: a confession that I have sinned
- Genuine repentance from a truly penitent sinner v.4-8. CONFESSION OF SIN AND THE COMPASSION OF GOD
- He sinned against his family, but in the final analysis, all sin is against God
- The family is gone, Bathsheba is gone, God remains
- David's sin has given occasion through the ages to blaspheme God
- To his final day, the sword didn't leave his household
- Shaped in iniquity. David was born in sin, like all of us, with a sinful nature
- He confesses his transgressions, his carnal mind; asks for pardon, washing, cleansing
- Truth in the inward parts: the exterior can be false or faked, it doesn't really count
- Teach me to know wisdom and to restrain from every wrong
- Purge me: The Lord took the first step towards David's recovery. It wasn't his confession of sin that counted. He wanted to purge with hyssop. He was looking ahead to the Substitute for sin. Hyssop was used at the Passover, cleansing of the leper, and sacrifice of the red heifer
- The joy of reconciliation v.9-19. CLEANSING AND COMMUNION
- Blot out: cry for cleansing. He knew the eye of God was on him
- Create: to make out of nothing. God doesn't want our filthy hearts. He gives a new one, a new workmanship created in Christ Jesus. A right spirit is a constant, steady, determined spirit.
- Cast me not away: The Spirit of God came upon David to serve God. Today, He indwells believers. The Spirit could not work in David and can be hindered from working through us.
- The joy of salvation: David knew the joy of salvation before, and he wanted it back
- He would be able to teach transgressors God's ways. That has been happening ever since.
- Deliver me: my tongue shall sing. None can presume, none need despair
- Open my lips. Confession of sin; confession of salvation; confession of grace
- Desires not sacrifice: more than sacrifice is needed
- Sacrifices of God are a broken spirit
- Thy good pleasure