SERIES: Praying the Psalms
TEXT: Psalms 51
MESSAGE: “Confession”
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TEXT: Psalms 51
As we look through today’s text, we see that confession is more than something between us and God, it’s also about our mission and being restored to our true purpose in life.
Question for today: How can I confess my sin, repent and be used by God to share His mercy and grace to the world?
- The Example of Sin
Prelude:
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
2 Samuel 11:27b
But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.
- The Example of Confession
Psalms 51:1-3
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Psalm 51:4-6
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
Psalms 51:7-12
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalms 51:13
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
Psalms 51:14-15
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
Psalms 51:16-19
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
- The Example to the World
“Dear Editor:
What’s wrong with the world? I am.
Faithfully yours,
G. K. Chesterton”
TAKEAWAYS: What can we apply to our lives?
- Be honest with God
- Be Repentant
- Share with others the news of God’s mercy.