The Essence of Psalm 51.

A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him,

 after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.

Psalm 51: From the superscription, we learn that this psalm was written sometime after David’s sin with Bath-sheba (2 Sam. 11:3-4). The psalm gives expression to why David was “a man after God’s own heart”: he was not perfect, but he had a sensitivity to sin that few know about. Notice especially the use of the first person singular: “mine iniquity, my sin” (verse 2), “my transgressions” (verse 3), and so on. The first two verses are an introductory petition, rich with meaning in the use of four figures for forgiveness. After confessing his guilt (verses 3-6), David prays for inner renewal (verses 7-12), and promises thanksgiving and ministry (verses 13-17). This passage clearly teaches that those who have failed God may be restored to the service of God. The prayer “take not thy Holy Spirit from me” (verse 11), need never be offered by a New Testament saint, since the Holy Spirit indwells every Christian permanently (1 Cor. 6:19). David’s cry here may reflect only the fear, not the reality, of losing the Spirit, and being rejected by God. Thus, he asks God to restore the joy of his salvation, not salvation itself.

Verses 1-19: This is the classic passage in the Old Testament on man’s repentance and God’s forgiveness of sin. Along with Psalm 32, it was written by David after his affair with Bath-sheba and his murder of Uriah, her husband (Sam. chapters 11 and12). It is one of 7 poems called penitential psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143). To David’s credit, he recognized fully how horrendous his sin was against God, blamed no one but himself, and begged for divine forgiveness.

I.       Plea for Forgiveness (51:1-2).

II.      Proffer of Confession (51:3-6).

III.     Prayer for Moral Cleanness (51:7-12).

IV.    Promise of Renewed Service (51:13-17).

V.      Petition for National Restoration (51:18-19).

Psalm 51:1 "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions."

“Lovingkindness”: Even though he had sinned horribly, David knew that forgiveness was available, based on God’s covenant love.