Heavenly Devotion: Psalm 51 – The Cry of a Broken Heart – Repentance & Restoration

1. David cried for forgiveness and mercy in verses 1-6. David confesses his sin. Note the words used by him, “my transgressions”, “my sin”, “my iniquity”, “done evil in your sight”.  David acknowledges his sin is against God alone. God is the most offended party. David also realised that God used this situation to teach him about the justice and righteousness of God.

 

2. David pleaded for renewal and restoration in verses 7-12.  True repentance is wanting to have a clean heart and a renewed and willing spirit within him. True repentance is also wanting God to restore the joy of salvation. The joy of the Lord is his strength. David knew only true joy comes from God. 

 

3. David recommitted his life to share and testify of God’s grace and mercy for sinners, in verses 13-15. David’s repentance, renewal, restoration, and forgiveness by God created a new heart and spirit to teach, to sing aloud, and to declare God’s wonderful grace and goodness. David was willing to share in spite of his sin being revealed. He was willing to forget the past and move forward to his goal and upward call of God. How about us? Don’t let the guilt of our sin drag and grind us to a halt in doing God’s work. Confess, repent, renew, and be restored like David.

 

David pursued true worship. True worship is not offering sacrifices and burn offerings. True worship is offering oneself totally to God alone. David knew the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart that God will not despise. If we have unconfessed sin, let us like King David come before God and seek His forgiveness, repent, renew, restore, recommit and rejoice in the Lord. 1 John 1:9 reads “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.” Amen.

 

Let’s Read Psalm 51

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1  Have mercy on me, O God,

    according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

    blot out my transgressions.

2  Wash away all my iniquity

    and cleanse me from my sin.

3  For I know my transgressions,

    and my sin is always before me.

4  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.

5  Surely I was sinful at birth,

    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6  Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7  Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8  Let me hear joy and gladness;

    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9  Hide your face from my sins

    and blot out all my iniquity.

10  Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11  Do not cast me from your presence

    or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12  Restore to me the joy of your salvation

    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13  Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

    so that sinners will turn back to you.

14  Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

    you who are God my Savior,

    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15  Open my lips, Lord,

    and my mouth will declare your praise.

16  You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17  My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

    a broken and contrite heart

    you, God, will not despise.

18  May it please you to prosper Zion,

    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19  Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,

    in burnt offerings offered whole;

    then bulls will be offered on your altar.

 

Let’s Pray, 

Dear God, You are merciful and forgiving. You sacrificed your Son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins so that we can receive forgiveness and the joy of your salvation. Thank you for your special love and saving us from a life of hopelessness and condemnation. Help us Lord to live a life of victory. Help us Lord to depend on you always. Renew our minds, create in us a clean heart. Transform us to be more like you Jesus. Glory and praise to your name. Amen.

 

This devotional was kindly contributed by Dr. Chow Li Sze and her channel Heavenly Devotion. You may find the channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/HeavenlyDevotion/videos